Highway Star sits one out

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Highway Star, the winner of the Grade 3 Go for Wand here, was not among the six New York-bred fillies and mares entered for Sunday’s $100,000 Biogio’s Rose Stakes at Aqueduct.

Highway Star finished a well-beaten fourth behind Wonder Gal in the Ladies Handicap on Jan. 7. That was her third race in 62 days. Initially, trainer Rodrigo Ubillo was going to run Highway Star back in the Biogio’s Rose, but he ultimately decided against.

“I decided to give her a little more time,” Ubillo said. “I’ve run her often the last few times. I feel like I have to do the right thing, and the right thing is to give her a little more time.”

Isabelle, who rolled home a 5 1/2-length winner in the Bay Ridge Stakes on Dec. 11, likely will be favored in the Biogio’s Rose, which is run at 1 1/16 miles over the inner track.

Completing the field are Super Surprise, second as the favorite to Isabelle in the Bay Ridge, Jules N Rome, Daisy Cutter, Dream On, and Legally Bay.

◗ Lockdown, the winner of the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct on Jan. 15, has shipped down to Florida to continue training toward her still-to-be-determined next start. On Wednesday, Lockdown breezed a half-mile in 51.40 seconds at the Payson Park training center.

Trainer Bill Mott said he just wanted to get Lockdown out of New York in case bad weather hits the area. Mott said Lockdown could return to New York for the Busher Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 25.