Gold Standard looks strong in Comely Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As Gold Standard was successfully going through her conditions this summer at Ellis Park, trainer Brad Cox had the Grade 3 Comely Stakes in late November as a year-end goal for the well-bred, expensive 2-year-old in training purchase.

The Grade 3 Comely is here and so is Gold Standard, who looks very much the one to beat in the 1 1/8-mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies that tops Friday’s 10-race Aqueduct card. First post is 11:50 a.m.

Gold Standard was purchased in March 2018 for $1.2 million by Stonestreet Stables, which then brought in LNJ Foxwoods as a partner. Gold Standard didn’t make it to the races until March 2019 when she finished second in a maiden turf race. Gold Standard moved to the dirt in June at Churchill and has won 3 of 4 on that surface, the lone loss coming in the Grade 3 Remington Park Oaks on Sept. 29. In that race, with only four runners, Gold Standard raced between horses for most of the trip. In the stretch, she was inside of multiple graded stakes winner Lady Apple, who ultimately bested Gold Standard by a half-length.

“I think she learned a lot from that race,” Cox said. “She showed a lot of class and grit. She got a lot out of it.”

In the Remington Oaks, Gold Standard finished 7 3/4 lengths clear of Classic Fit, who also is entered in this race.

The Comely will be Gold Standard’s first try at 1 1/8 miles, but Cox believes she should be able to handle it.

“The way she stayed on last time,” Cox offered as one reason. “She’s by Medaglia d’Oro. She’s not a big filly, but she’s got a good stride.”

Javier Castellano will ride Gold Standard from post 2.

Arrifana, a daughter of Curlin, is undefeated in four starts, going through all her conditions for trainer Kelly Rubley and owners Gunpowder Farms and Millennium Farms. Rubley said she’s looking forward to trying Arrifana at 1 1/8 miles for the first time.

“We actually think she’s bred to go a route of ground, so I think the mile and an eighth will be a great test and we’ll learn something from it,” Rubley said.

Julian Pimentel rides Arrifana from post 4.

Bellera has already won at the distance, winning an allowance race at Saratoga by five lengths in the slop. She was entered in the Turnback the Alarm, a 1 1/8-mile race against older fillies and mares, but was impeded at the break, losing her jockey.

“I think she appreciates nine furlongs, it makes a difference,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I like the way she’s been training. She came out of that raced unscathed. Hopefully, we’ll get a smoother journey this time with a rider on her back.”

John Velazquez will ride Bellera from post 3.

Completing the field are Stand for the Flag, a winner of two straight and trained by Jason Servis; Lightscameraaction, a winner of a Keeneland allowance last month; Oxy Lady, winner of last year’s Grade 3 Tempted here a year ago; and Afleet Destiny, second in last year’s Demoiselle.