Litfin's review: Main track fast but fair

The main track continued to play quick but honest as the penultimate week of the short spring meet concluded. Three of six dirt winners led throughout, capped by La Verdad (8th, $6), who broke like a shot from the rail with leading rider Jose Ortiz and led her rivals a merry chase in the Grade 2, $200,000 Distaff Handicap.

La Verdad, who has now won her last seven races at six furlongs by a combined 33 lengths, sped the distance in 1:09.10 and earned a Beyer Figure of 97, equaling her previous best.

It turned out to be a memorable afternoon for her trainer, Linda Rice, who has a potential Preakness contender in Kid Cruz following his dominating win in the Federico Tesio at Pimlico, about an hour after La Verdad’s score.

Earlier races had a Rice influence to them as well, as two of her former horses got the money:

The 8-year-old Star of New York (5th, $5), claimed from Rice on New Year’s Eve, made his third start for Midwest Thoroughbreds and Laura Perillo, taking a $12,500 claimer by 5 3/4 lengths. He was claimed by Pat Quick.

Two races later, Quick Money (7th, $13), claimed from Rice on March 8, capitalized on a pace duel between The Rhythmisright and former stablemate N.F.’s Destiny to win by the same margin for Joe Imperio. The 7-year-old gelding was haltered by Michelle Nevin.

There were three turf races at 1 1/16 miles, beginning with a $25,000 restricted claimer won by Trainingforsuccess (4th, $8.40). Note the official time (1:45.63) differed from the Trakus (1:46.51) by almost a full second.

HORSES TO WATCH

MY FRIEND KEITH
Trainer: George Weaver
Last race: April 19, 6th
Finish: 2nd by 1 ¾
Beyer: 69

After two races on dirt, this 3-year-old New York-bred improved with a switch to turf, prompting the pace from an outside post, taking the lead in the stretch, and saving the place over the odds-on Point Roll.