Main Entrance takes a shot in Xtra Heat Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Ramon Preciado claimed Main Entrance primarily to have a horse to run in New Jersey-bred races at Monmouth Park this summer. But after running her once last month at Parx, he decided to take a shot in the $70,000 Xtra Heat Stakes, one of 10 stakes races on Saturday’s inaugural New York Claiming Championship card at Aqueduct.

The Xtra Heat, run at six furlongs, is one of four stakes for fillies and mares on the program.

Preciado claimed Main Entrance for $16,000 on Jan. 13 at Parx. He ran her for $25,000 at Parx on Feb. 23, and she galloped to a 6 1/4-length victory.

“I like that filly; she’s a beautiful filly, she moves nice, she’s pretty sound,” Preciado said. “We want to have her for Monmouth Park.”

Main Entrance will meet seven rivals in the Xtra Heat, including 11-time winner Here’s Zealicious, who is winless in three starts this year. In her last three starts, Here’s Zealicious has two thirds and a second for trainer Naipaul Chatterpaul.

Other contenders in the Xtra Heat include My Donna Jean, My Savannah Belle, and Da Wildcat Girl.

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The richest of the four stakes for fillies and mares is the $80,000 Karakorum Elektra, a 1 1/16-mile race that drew a field of only five and goes as the first on the card.

Before You Know It, trained by Claudio Gonzalez, finished fifth in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie last out and second in the Nellie Morse in her start before that. Prior to those stakes tries, Before You Know It reeled off four consecutive victories.

Lady Luciano, after winning just one of her first 16 starts, now seeks her third consecutive victory for John Toscano and looms the main speed in the field.

Lemon Song, Rock Me Mama, and Clean Jean complete the field.

Trainer Patricia Farro maintains a strong hand in the $60,000 Sis City Stakes at 1 1/16 miles with the uncoupled entry of Resentment and Sweets Galore. Resentment has not raced since Dec. 29, when she won a first-level allowance race at Parx by 6 1/4 lengths. Farro claimed Sweets Galore back for $16,000 after losing her for $12,500 on Dec. 7, a day that she won. She finished fourth in her last start but shows two solid workouts since.

Mary Eppler ships up Lasamanamama from Maryland for the Sis City. Since claiming her for $7,500 last September, Lasamanamama has two wins and a second from three starts.

Bounty Pink, trained by Linda Rice, and Reckless Move, trained by Gary Sciacca, head the local contingent.

Trainer David Jacobson has only one entrant in the four claiming stakes for fillies and mares, and that is Room for Me in the $50,000 Videogenic. Owner Richard Baltas claimed Room for Me with this race in mind, and the filly was shipped to Jacobson. Room for Me is coming off a 10-length victory in a $12,500 claimer at Santa Anita on Feb. 12.

Aix En Provence, Starship Pleasant, and Donita’s Ruler head the competition.