Megascape cruises in Ruthless

Megascape's speed proved too much for her three rivals as she shot to the front immediately under Stewart Elliott and cruised to a three-length victory in the $80,200 for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

Pelham Bay, outrun early, rallied to be second, 2 1/2 lengths clear of Academy Brass.

It was the second straight victory for Megascape and fourth from six career starts. She won the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes and the Grade 3 Valley Stream at 2, victories that most likely will earn her the New York-bred juvenile filly championship. While she did lose to Pelham Bay in the Maid of the Mist, she has now beaten that rival twice.

Megascape ($3.60) opened up a 2 1/2-length lead after running an opening quarter in a modest 23.41 seconds. Megascape, hand-ridden all the way by Elliott, increased her advantage to 5 1/2 lengths by midstretch before settling for the three-length score. She covered six furlongs in 1:11.45.

If Megascape remains in New York and sprinting, her next logical start would come in the $75,000 Dearly Precious Stakes on Feb. 21.