Mind Control, Joevia raring to run again

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Two weeks after their successful return to the races, Mind Control and Joevia each could be making his second start of the year earlier than anticipated.

Mind Control, who returned from a 147-day layoff to win the Grade 3 Toboggan Stakes on Jan. 18, could make his next start in the $125,000 Stymie Stakes on March 7 at Aqueduct. Joevia, who returned from a 223-day layoff to win a second-level allowance here Jan. 17, is now being considered for the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Stakes on Feb. 17 at Oaklawn Park, according to trainer Gregg Sacco.

Initially, Joevia was being pointed to the Stymie, while Mind Control was going to wait for the Grade 1 Carter on April 4.

“It’s going to be a little challenging holding Mind Control on the ground until the Carter,” Sacco said Friday at Belmont Park. “He’s stronger, a little bit more aggressive than last year.”

The Razorback, run at 1 1/16 miles around two turns, could open doors for other two-turn stakes for Joevia, such as the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap on April 18 or the $1 million Charles Town Classic the same day.

Sacco admits that the Razorback is a little bit quicker back than he had planned for Joevia. Both Joevia and Mind Control were expected to return to the work tab on Saturday at Belmont.

“Joevia came out of his race good, his energy level’s been great,” Sacco said. “There’s nothing like getting a race into them. His fitness level is there now. He and Mind Control have had a dynamite two weeks of training since the race.”