High Ridge Road has first work since Barbara Fritchie win

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – High Ridge Road, the winner of the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park on Feb. 18, returned to the work tab Wednesday, breezing five furlongs in 1:02.02 over the Belmont Park training track.

Trainer Linda Rice said she moved the work up a few days to take advantage of a training track that she felt was in good shape.

Rice said she is pointing High Ridge Road to the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland on April 8. She said the Grade 3, $150,000 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct is a backup.

“This was a good first breeze back since she won,” Rice said. “We’re a month out. She trained good today. There’s always a chance I’ll run in the Distaff, but right now I’m pointing to the Madison.”

Since Rice took over her training early last year, High Ridge Road has won four of six starts. She was beaten a nose in the Grade 3 Go for Wand in one of her two losses.