Harvey’s Lil Goil clearly best in Busanda

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Despite a slow start and a wide trip, Harvey’s Lil Goil was simply too good for her modest competition, galloping to a 7 1/2-length victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct.

The win was the second straight – both on dirt – for Harvey’s Lil Goil, a daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of the dam, Gloria S, herself a half-sister to 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another. Harvey’s Lil Goil won a one-mile maiden race here in December by six lengths after running fourth in her debut on turf.

Sunday, Harvey’s Lil Goil, under Junior Alvarado, broke slowly and was last out of the gate. Alvarado guided her four wide and into the clear entering the first turn while Fiftyshays Ofgreen, under Kendrick Carmouche, set fractions of 25.30 seconds for the quarter and 50.59 for the half-mile while being stalked by Persisto.

Entering the far turn, after six furlongs were run in 1:14.70, Harvey’s Lil Goil struck the front, opened up a clear advantage by the quarter pole and was never seriously threatened while being taken in hand late.

Harvey’s Lil Goil, owned by the Estate of her breeder, Harvey Clarke, and Paul Braverman and trained by Bill Mott, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.49 and returned $3.50 as the 3-5 favorite.

Alvarado said Harvey’s Lil Goil was moving around a bit in the gate, which led to her slow start. He said had she broke with the field, Harvey’s Lil Goil would likely have been sitting second early on.

“We didn’t want to fight with her to make her stand properly, but then at the break she hopped a little bit, and in stakes races it’s not what you want,” Alvarado said. “I got hung out very wide in the first turn but she was just so much the best it didn’t matter at all.”

Water White, who was fourth early, rallied for second by 1 1/2 lengths over Fiftyshays Ofgreen. Persisto was fourth followed by Ankle Monitor and Truth Hurts. Quality Heat scratched.

“I was pretty impressed,” said Leana Willaford, the Belmont Park-based assistant for Mott. “I don’t know how good the fillies were behind her, but it was a good race.”

Harvey’s Lil Goil earned 10 qualifying points to the Kentucky Oaks and gives Mott a potential second 3-year-old filly he can point to that race. Mott also trains Lake Avenue, who won the Grade 2 Demoiselle here last December.

Willaford wasn’t sure if Harvey’s Lil Goil would remain in New York or ship back to Mott at Payson Park in Florida. The next two races in the 3-year-old filly division in New York are the $250,000 Busher Invitational, a one-turn mile race on March 7, and the Grade 2, $300,000 Gazelle, going two turns and 1 1/8 miles, here on April 4.