Father and son in First Flight

Passing Shot is the most accomplished runner in the $150,000 First Flight at Aqueduct, but she must overcome a four-month layoff and the seven-furlong distance of the race is probably too short for her.

Trained by Allen Jerkens, , a Grade 1 winner, has won 3 of 5 starts at Aqueduct, including the Grade 3 Bed o'Roses in April. Jerkens has won the First Flight two out of the last three years.

Jerkens's son Jimmy will saddle one of the main contenders in the six-horse field, Smokey Glacken, who won the Valley Stream here last November. Smokey Glacken is coming off a second-place finish to Bending Strings in the Grade 3 Safely Kept Breeders' Cup at Pimlico on Oct. 2.

"She pressed the pace the whole way, and the track was a little slower than she is accustomed to," Jimmy Jerkens said.

Smokey Glacken, who drew the rail, could face pace pressure from Sensibly Chic and Schedule.

Bending Strings will try to give McLaughlin back-to-back wins in the First Flight. A hot pace would help Bending Strings.