Idealhouse heads last-out winners
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The third race from Jan. 14 has seemingly turned out to be a little more noteworthy than just your run-of-the-mill $25,000 claiming race.
Roman Chestnut, who finished second to Idealhouse, came back to win last Saturday's . Idealhouse, who beat Roman Chestnut by five lengths that day, was impressive enough to be purchased privately by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and partners Alvin Haynes and Jay Goldman. Friday, Idealhouse makes her first start for her new connections in a first-level optional claimer at Aqueduct.
All six 3-year-old fillies entered in the six-furlong race are coming off wins in their last start. Idealhouse is one of four entered for the optional claiming price of $75,000. McLaughlin thought Idealhouse could be a useful horse for him and his partners when he decided to purchase Idealhouse from Vinery Stables and trainer Steve Asmussen.
"We thought it was a reasonable price for one who's eligible to a starter allowance," McLaughlin said. "She ran quite well on all the figures, so we bought her. We thought we could have a little fun."
Idealhouse made the first five starts of her career over synthetic surfaces, but appeared to pick up her game when transferred to the dirt. In her victory here, Idealhouse dueled with How Cool Is That, put that one away, and then turned back a challenge from Roman Chestnut. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 76 for the effort, the highest among her five combatants in this field.
Five-pound apprentice Angel Serpa will ride from post 2.
She'll Be Doggone won her career debut last Nov. 15 over Aqueduct's main track, rallying from mid-pack in a professional-looking effort. Trained by John Parisella then, she has since been transferred to Tony Dutrow's barn.
"The filly's training well, I'm happy with her," Dutrow said. "I don't even know what her best distance is. I'm just watching, but I'm happy with what I'm seeing."
Despite being pressed for most of the race, Little Miss Macho won a six-furlong maiden race over the inner track on Jan. 10. Her connections don't think she's a need-the-lead-type and believe they are helped by the outside draw in the compact field.
"I think she'll sit back," said Tonja Terranova, assistant trainer to her husband, John.