Ghalia Princess runs away with Cicada Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Ghalia Princess lived up to her short-priced status with a sharp six-length victory in Saturday’s $93,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

Despite breaking from the rail under Manny Franco, Ghalia Princess was quickly tipped outside of Reconcile, who was sent hard to the lead by Jose Lezcano. Ghalia Princess stalked Reconcile through a quick half-mile in 44.98 seconds, took control in midstretch and drew off to the authoritative score.

Reconcile finished second, 6 3/4 lengths clear of Anna’s Wish. Miss Harriett finished last of four. Value Area, who was not feeling well Saturday morning, according to trainer Todd Pletcher, was scratched.

The victory was the second in three starts for Ghalia Princess, a daughter of American Pharoah owned by Sumaya US Stable and trained by Brad Cox.

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Franco said he thought Ghalia Princess would be sitting third behind Reconcile and Miss Harriett, but the latter, ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, was bumped by an outward-breaking Anna’s Wish and did not get near the lead.

“I warm my filly up pretty good, she jumped out of there well, Lezcano cleared me but Kendrick didn’t break fast at all,” Franco said. “I was able to go outside of Lezcano and I think that was it.”

Franco said when Ghalia Princess came up to Reconcile in midstretch “she was looking at her a little bit,” he said. “As soon as she switched leads, I asked her and she kicked on.”

Dustin Dugas, Cox’s Belmont-based assistant, said, "Manny made the right call by letting Reconcile go on and sitting just off of her.

“I didn’t think she was going to be quite as quick to keep up with those guys - she could if she was pressed - but Manny made the right call by letting the race unfold the way it did,” Dugas said.

Ghalia Princess covered the six furlongs in 1:09.85 and returned $2.80 as the 2-5 favorite.

With no sprint race for 3-year-old fillies on this circuit on the horizon, Ghalia Princess is likely going to have to make her next start out of town. Races like the Grade 2, $400,000 Beaumont at Keeneland on April 7 and/or the Grade 2, $600,000 Eight Belles on May 3 at Churchill Downs could be options.

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