Holiday Disguise edges Highway Star in Critical Eye
ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Linda Rice said the finish of Monday’s $200,000 Critical Eye Stakes at Belmont Park was so close between her filly Holiday Disguise and the even-money favorite Highway Star, she wasn’t sure she had won “until they put the official sign up.”
But in the end, it was Holiday Disguise by the slimmest of margins to take the one mile Critical Eye, giving the 4-year-old daughter of Harlans Holiday her sixth win in nine career starts and her fifth straight victory against New York-breds.
With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, Holiday Disguise rated in midpack off a very quick early pace set by Verdant Pastures. Highway Star, second in the Grade 2 Ruffian in her previous start, got first run at the leaders, taking control approaching the quarter pole while kept well off the rail by jockey Angel Arroyo. Holiday Disguise ranged up to her outside turning for home, and from that point on it was a two horse race. Highway Star dug in gamely despite drifting late under left-hand pressure before ultimately succumbing to Holiday Disguise in the final strides.
Playinwiththeboys loomed a threat along the inside in early stretch, but was not good enough. She finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Highway Star, while followed in turn by Might Be, Bluegrass Flag, Jcs American Dream, a weary Verdant Pastures, No Hayne No Gayne, and Frost Wise.
Holiday Disguise is owned by Lady Sheila Stable. She returned $6.50 after completing the distance in 1:36.12 over a fast track.
“She’s such a gritty filly,” Rice said of Holiday Disguise. “Irad knows her so well. He said he thought he had it won at the eighth pole just because he’s so confident in her and knows how tough she is. She has no quit in her. They put up some pretty good fractions, and that helped, but [Highway Star] is such a good racehorse, I wasn’t sure coming into the race that we could beat that type of filly.”
Rice said she wouldn’t rule out trying Holiday Disguise, who defeated open company in the Grade 3 Distaff Handicap going seven furlongs in April, in the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 25 at Saratoga.
“She’s very versatile, obviously she’s won from 6 1/2 furlongs to a mile, but I’ve always thought seven-eighths was her best distance, so the Ballerina is in the back of our minds,” said Rice. “I’m not sure whether she can compete with that caliber, we’ll find out. But if she get the right trip, the right kind of fractions, I don’t think you can count her out.”
