Devil House must be caught

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Devil House, who showed high promise winning five straight races early in her career, returns from a layoff and may be the one to catch at Aqueduct in Thursday's Happy Princess, a $65,000 overnight stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs.

Devil House, who turned in several bullet workouts on Keeneland's Polytrack before arriving in New York at the turn of the year, breaks from the outside in a short field of five and appears to be sitting on go for new trainer Bruce Levine.

"She's really training good and I'm anxious to run her," said Levine. "It doesn't look like there's a ton of speed in there.

Devil House's win streak began with a trio of victories at Ellis Park and River Downs as a 2-year-old in late summer of 2006, and reached five when she returned last winter at Oaklawn Park to capture a pair of $50,000 stakes - the Dixie Belle and the Martha Washington.

Devil House subsequently lost her last five starts as a 3-year-old, but among them were tough assignments setting the pace in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes, and dueling on yielding turf against 2006 Eclipse champ and multiple stakes winner Dreaming of Anna.

If Devil House runs well on Thursday, Levine said she may return in the Grade 2, $300,000 Barbara Fritchie Breeders' Cup at Laurel on Feb. 16.

Set to oppose Devil House, from the rail out, are Charlotte's Di, You Asked, Meadow Breeze, and Are We Dreamin.

Charlotte's Di won 3 of 5 starts last year, and has trained sharply at Fair Hill for Steve Klesaris. She has not raced since November.

Meadow Breeze won the Grade 1 Matron at 2, and comes off a runner-up finish in the Fiesta Lady here 15 days ago for Gary Contessa.

You Asked, second in the Old Hat and third in the Forward Gal last winter at Gulfstream Park, also has some back class.

Are We Dreamin started 16 times last year. Her last seven starts, dating back to Saratoga, have come on either turf or wet dirt.

General George next for Bustin Stones

Bustin Stones, who returned from double knee surgery to win Monday's Thepromonroe Stakes in his first start since May, earned a career-best Beyer of 104 while maintaining his perfect record at 4 for 4.

Levine, his trainer, reported that he showed no ill effects from a hard pace duel with runner-up Whistlin'.

"He came out of it good," said Levine. "He took it well."

Bustin Stones, a 4-year-old New York-bred, is being targeted for the Grade 2 General George Handicap at Laurel on Feb. 18.