Frost Wise going long against four in Bay Ridge Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – There is no questioning Frost Wise’s speed. On Monday, weather permitting, she’ll be tested for stamina when she runs in the $100,000 Bay Ridge Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct.

Frost Wise will face only four rivals in the Bay Ridge, a race originally scheduled for Friday but did not have enough horses to fill on Dec. 22, when entries were taken. Frigid temperatures are forecast for Monday, creating a likelihood of a cancellation.

The Bay Ridge became a logical next step for Frost Wise following her 16 1/4-length front-running victory going a one-turn mile over Aqueduct’s main track Nov. 30. In that race, she broke on top under Joel Rosario, then turned aside a challenge at the quarter pole from Might Be before running away.

On paper, this seems like a tougher spot than the allowance race, but in reality it might not be much tougher. Holiday Disguise brings a three-race winning streak into the Bay Ridge, but she has not raced beyond seven furlongs and has not run since winning the Bouwerie Stakes on May 29 at Belmont Park.

Trainer Linda Rice was pointing Holiday Disguise to next Saturday’s $100,000 La Verdad Stakes going seven furlongs, but felt that race was coming up too strong for Holiday Disguise’s return.

“She showed up a little sore in an ankle after she won the stakes, so we gave her the summer off,” Rice said. “We hoped to get a prep before the La Verdad, we didn’t, and the La Verdad is coming up very strong, so I thought we’d take a peek at this one.”

Holiday Disguise breaks from the rail under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez supplemented Frostie Anne to the Bay Ridge. Rodriguez claimed this mare for $25,000 on Dec. 14 out of a 6 1/2-furlong race that Frostie Anne won by three lengths. She will be trying 1 1/8 miles for the first time.

“I know I’m bringing her back too quick, but if it’s five horses, put her on the lead and hope for the best,” Rodriguez said.

Riot Worthy will look to bounce back from a fifth-place finish in a division of the New York Stallion Series going seven furlongs here Nov. 12. She was coming back just 17 days after running second in an open allowance where she earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 87.

“Last time, I think I brought her back a little too fast,” trainer Charlton Baker said. “She came out of that race okay, so we’ll give it a shot.

In her only start at 1 1/8 miles, Riot Worthy finished second to Super Surprise in the Fleet Indian Stakes at Saratoga in August 2016.

“I think she’s okay at it, maybe not her best distance but she’s doing good, she’ll be all right,” Baker said.

Super Allison won the New York Oaks in 2016 at Finger Lakes but in her most recent races she has had trouble breaking from the gate. Owner Matthew Schera transferred Super Allison from Carlos Martin to trainer George Weaver in hopes of a change of fortune.