Englehart hoping Mrs. Ramona G. can rediscover early promise

ELMONT, N.Y. – Mrs. Ramona G. was bet down to 5-2 favoritism in a field of 12 in her career debut last September. She didn’t disappoint, running down a loose-on-the-lead My Bronx Tail to win by a length in a six-furlong turf race at Belmont Park.

The promise she displayed that afternoon faded in her next three outings, all losses.

Wednesday, in a six-furlong, first-level turf allowance at Belmont, Mrs. Ramona G. returns from seven-month layoff hoping to jump-start her career.

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart said that Mrs. Ramona G. had never truly trained like he wanted her to all last season. It was ultimately discovered that she had a pus pocket in a hind foot that was bothering her, Englehart said.

“We relieved all the pressure from there, she’s kind of been a much different horse,” Englehart said. “She’s training aggressive again. She needed some time for her hoof to heal.”

Englehart said Mrs. Ramona G. has an aggressive personality, and he said he likes that about her.

“When she’s right, she wants to run,” Englehart said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she did what she did in her maiden race.”

This race drew a field of 10 for the turf and three for the main track. There was some rain in the forecast Tuesday night, but dry conditions are expected Wednesday and through the weekend in New York.

Violent Times won her debut sprinting on dirt last December at Gulfstream Park for Ralph Nicks. Though she has finished second in her two turf sprints, her numbers appear to be better.

Glossy has won two straight turf sprints for Bill Mott. She is coupled with Length, who has a win and a third in two turf sprints.

Libby’s Tail, runner-up in the Grade 1 Frizette two years ago, has returned to New York after making her last three starts for Richard Baltas in California. The last time she sprinted on turf at Belmont, Libby’s Tail finished third. Trained by Rudy Rodriguez then, she is now trained by Jason Servis.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mrs. Ramona G., by Kantharos
Last 3 Beyers: 71-68-24

◗ Was talented enough to win off works in her debut here last fall.

◗ Hind foot issue caused her to be idle since February, but she has been working steadily for her return.

DRF FORMUALTOR FACT: Over the last two years, Englehart is 4 for 11 with a $3.25 ROI bringing horses back off a layoff greater than 180 days in a turf sprint. Three of those four wins have come at Belmont.

Glossy, by Broken Vow
Last 3 Beyers: 76-75-65

◗ Her two most recent wins – including a $40,000 claimer here in June – have come in turf sprints and since Mott removed blinkers.

Violent Times, by Violence
Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-28

◗ Has run second in two turf sprints, including a slowly run one here over good ground last month.

◗ Looked like a winner in midstretch of first-level allowance at Saratoga in August only to be caught by four-time winner Sister Sophia, who came back to run second in her next start.