Magic Circle has no problem with Busanda distance
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The way she weakened late in the Grade 2 Demoiselle here last month perhaps suggested that nine furlongs was a tad too far for Magic Circle.
On Sunday, perhaps it was the competition, or maybe the make-up of Aqueduct’s main track, but Magic Circle showed that 1 1/8 miles was within her scope as she posted a front-running, 2 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct.
Hustled out of the gate by Jose Ortiz to attain a forward position, Magic Circle opened up a 1 1/2-length lead over Rosebug after an opening quarter in 24.38 seconds. She maintained a one-length advantage over Rosebug through six furlongs in 1:12.12. After Rosebug dropped back at the quarter pole, Magic Circle had a five-length lead in midstretch and held Morning Matcha at bay late to get the victory.
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Morning Matcha finished second by 1 3/4 lengths over Reigning Chick. Rosebug finished fourth, followed by Waters of Merom and Gamestonks.
In the Demoiselle, on Dec 4, Magic Circle set a pedestrian pace but drifted out under jockey Manny Franco’s left-handed whip and finished third, one length behind Nest and Venti Valentine.
Rudy Rodriguez, the trainer of Magic Circle, said the track was extremely dry and tiring. On Sunday, it was much tighter.
“She prefers a fast track a little bit more, maybe a little moisture in the track,” Rodriguez said. “The last time, the track was very dry; they didn’t put any water on the track.”
Ortiz was riding Magic Circle for the first time. Though he did hustle the filly out of the gate, Ortiz said Magic Circle was a bit aggressive early.
“I think she was pulling me a little too much the first furlong, I was a little bit nervous,” he said. “I just wanted to put my hands down and relax. She finally did. Passing the seven-furlong [pole], when she entered the backstretch, she was completely relaxed.”
The win for Ortiz could be his last in New York for a while. He is moving his tack to South Florida to begin riding at Gulfstream Park beginning Wednesday.
Magic Circle, a daughter of Kantharos owned by Jeff Singer, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.29 and returned $4.10 as the favorite.
Magic Circle earned 10 qualifying points toward the May 6 Kentucky Oaks. Combined with prior placings in the Demoiselle and Frizette (fourth), Magic Circle has 13 points.
Magic Circle’s next option in New York is the $250,000 Busher Invitational, a one-turn-mile race on March 5 and/or the Grade 3, $250,000 Gazelle, a two-turn, 1 1/8-mile race on April 9.