Lake Avenue has first work for return race

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – While Bill Mott will send out Harvey’s Lil Goil for her 3-year-old debut in Sunday’s $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct, his top horse in that division, Lake Avenue, is still at least a month away from her return to action.

Lake Avenue won the Grade 2 Demoiselle by four lengths here Dec. 7 and had her first workout since that race on Monday, going three furlongs in 37.40 seconds at Payson Park.

Mott said he has not picked out a race for Lake Avenue’s return. The Grade 2, $200,000 Davona Dale on Feb. 29 at Gulfstream or the $250,000 Busher on March 7 at Aqueduct would seem like logical spots. Both are races are run at a one-turn mile.

“We got her started back, just nice and easy,” Mott said. “She had three races. I’m not rushing. I’ll keep her nominated for everything.”

Mott said he brought the 3-year-old colt Modernist down to Florida following his four-length victory going 1 1/8 miles here Jan. 25 for which he earned a 76 Beyer Speed Figure. Mott does not have a race picked out for the son of Uncle Mo, but a first-level allowance on the Feb. 29 Fountain of Youth Day card at Gulfstream is an educated guess.

Mott plans to run Secret Rules, an 8 3/4-length winner of a first-level allowance on Jan. 10 at Aqueduct, in next Saturday’s $150,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes here going seven furlongs.