Ingrid looks ready to fire off long layoff

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Ingrid lived up to her backing as the 9-5 favorite when she rolled to a six-length victory in her career debut against fellow New York-bred juvenile fillies last summer at Saratoga.

But before her connections could map out a plan for the remainder of her campaign, Ingrid was sidelined with what trainer Mike Hushion said was “a severe foot issue.”

With that problem now behind her, Ingrid begins her 3-year-old campaign Sunday in a first-level allowance for New York-bred fillies going six furlongs. The $57,000 race is the feature on closing day of Aqueduct’s inner-track season. Racing moves to the main track next Friday for a 17-day meet through April 23.

Ingrid, a daughter of Gemologist and a half-sister to the Grade 1 winner Sean Avery, roared out of the gate at Saratoga, quickly opening up a three-length lead while running a quarter-mile in 21.86 seconds. She was never headed, and jockey Chris DeCarlo took out his whip but never used it as Ingrid covered 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.20.

“She had shown she was very fast,” Hushion said.

Ingrid returned to the work tab Feb. 5 and shows seven works for her return. The last two moves were bullet half-miles over the Belmont Park training track.

“When she steps on it, she’s gone,” Hushion said.

Ingrid, to be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., likely will have to deal with a wet surface as rain was forecast to begin Saturday night.

Timely Tradition, a daughter of First Defence, won a maiden $40,000 claimer by 13 1/2 lengths in the mud over the inner track Dec. 7 for trainer Christophe Clement. She has returned to New York after spending the winter in south Florida.

Race 3

KEY CONTENDERS

Ingrid, by Gemologist

Beyer: 74

◗ If the last two works are any indication, she’s ready to pick up where she left off after winning her debut by six lengths last August at Saratoga, a race that did produce three next-out winners.

“She’s working very well,” said Hushion, whose filly has worked two bullet half-miles in 48.40 seconds. “I’m always looking for 50 [seconds].”

FORMULATOR Fact: Over the last five years, Hushion is 4 for 26 with a $1.58 return on investment in dirt sprints off a layoff of 180 days for longer.

Timely Tradition, by First Defence

Last 2 Beyers: 65-38

◗ Relished a wet surface when winning her maiden by 13 1/2 lengths last December. Has been training steadily since Feb. 3 at Payson Park in Florida.

“She’s a light-framed filly; she doesn’t take much to get going. It was time to bring her back,” Clement said.

FORMULATOR Fact: Over the last five years, Clement is 7 for 25 with $1.93 ROI in dirt sprints with runners coming off a layoff of 60 to 180 days.

Overnegotiate, by Overdriven

Last 3 Beyers: 67-49-57

◗ Exits a fourth-place finish behind Wilburnmoney in the Franklin Square Stakes here on Feb. 19. Prior to that, she had a win and a second in her two non-stakes sprint tries.