Highway Star seeks first two-turn victory in Ladies

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Unbeaten in five starts around one turn, Highway Star will seek her first victory around two turns Saturday in the $100,000 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct.

Highway Star, coming off a nose victory in the Grade 3 Go for Wand over Aqueduct’s main track Dec. 3, meets just four rival fillies and mares in the Ladies, a once-prestigious race being run for the 146th time – but just the second time at a mile and 70 yards over the inner track.

The Go for Wand was contested at a mile around one turn; Highway Star is 3 for 3 in such races. She has attempted two turns only once on dirt, the 1 1/8-mile Fleet Indian Stakes at Saratoga, where she finished third after being too keen early on.

“She could have run better, but she ran off down the backside with the jock,” said Rodrigo Ubillo, who trains Highway Star for Chester and Mary Broman. “I don’t think the [extra] 70 yards is a problem.”

Highway Star will break from the rail under Angel Arroyo, who has been aboard for the filly’s last two starts.

Wonder Gal, beaten a neck by Highway Star when third in the Go for Wand, makes her second attempt at the Ladies. Last year, she finished third as the 4-5 favorite. She was recently sold to the Clearview Stable of Bernard Cleary, and this could be her last start before being bred, though no decision has been made, according to trainer Leah Gyarmati.

Always On My Mind, coming off a sharp 3 1/4-length allowance win Nov. 24 over the main track, is the other top contender in the field. Jet Majesty and Chorus Line complete the field.

With only five horses in the field, the Ladies will go as race 3 on a nine-race card that begins at 12:20 p.m. Eastern.

KEY CONTENDERS:

Highway Star, by Girolamo
Last 3 Beyers: 85-83-83

◗ Has won five of seven career starts, including the Go for Wand. The horse she beat by a nose, High Ridge Road, came back to win the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes last weekend at Laurel.

◗ With Jet Majesty and Chorus Line in the field, there should be ample speed for Highway Star to stalk.

“That’s good for me,” Ubillo said. “She’s doing great.”

Wonder Gal, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 85-80-83

◗ Came off a long layoff with a fast allowance win at Saratoga in September, a taxing performance that may have adversely affected her next two starts.

◗ May prefer to sit just off the pace, unlike in the Go for Wand, where she was the pacesetter.

“She came out of her last race well,” Gyarmati said. “Her last breeze was good, she’s feeling good, she’s looking good.”

◗ Jose Ortiz picks up the mount.

Always On My Mind, by Congrats
Last 3 Beyers: 86-85-85

◗ Has won two of her last three starts, both in allowance company.

◗ In between, she finished fourth in the Remington Park Oaks after racing wide throughout.