Mia's Angel from tough group

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Calder-based juveniles dominated the 2009 stakes program in New York, with prospects like D' Funnybone and Homeboykris combining to win the Saratoga Special, Futurity at Belmont, and Champagne. While those newly turned 3-year-olds have returned to south Florida to try and join the Triple Crown trail, a third member of that class will attempt to make his mark on New York racing.

Mia's Angel, who defeated subsequent Champagne winner Homeboykris in a June 27 maiden race at Calder, makes his New York and 3-year-old debut in Monday's $65,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds that serves as the Martin Luther King Jr. Day feature at Aqueduct.

Mia's Angel has not run since finishing sixth behind Jackson Bend and D' Funnybone in the Frank Gomez Memorial at Calder on July 11, a race from which he emerged sick. Owned by Half Moon Racing and trained by Michael McDonald in Florida, he was purchased privately in the fall by Carmine Inserra's Half Hollow Racing and turned over to trainer Dominic Galluscio.

Galluscio had hoped to start Mia's Angel in a first-level allowance race, but when that condition didn't fill the decision was made to supplement to the Winkfield for a $650 fee. Though this will be Mia's Angel's first start in 201 days, Galluscio is confident the horse will perform well.

"He's going to run very well," said Galluscio, who is 4 for 14 the last five inner-track meets with horses returning from a layoff of six months or more. "We'll see if he's good enough to beat these kind."

Galluscio named Anna Naprvanik to ride, hoping to get a stalking trip in a race seemingly speed-laden.

Deputy Daney is 2 for 2 for Philadelphia Park-based trainer Cathal Lynch. Deputy Daney has not been out since Oct. 24, but only because Lynch could not find a race for the gelded son of Officer. Lynch said Deputy Daney is versatile enough to come from off the pace, but drawing the rail "limits our options."

Citizen's Arrest won a 5 1/2-furlong sprint race on Nov. 21, chasing a hot early pace, before holding off Make History by a head in a race that earned an 87 Beyer Speed Figure.

"He's got natural speed, his style should fit the inner track," trainer Todd Pletcher said.