Miss Marissa all set for Ladies Handicap

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Miss Marissa, the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan winner, breezed four furlongs in 47.40 seconds Wednesday morning over the Belmont Park training track, the fastest of 30 works at the distance. She is preparing for a start in Sunday’s $100,000 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct.

The Black-Eyed Susan capped a three-race winning streak for Miss Marissa. That streak ended when she finished sixth in the Grade 3 Comely on Nov. 27 at Aqueduct.

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Trainer Jim Ryerson thought Miss Marissa was hampered by being stuck behind a slow pace when beaten 16 1/2 lengths by Mrs. Danvers in the Comely. Ryerson is making a rider switch to Jose Lezcano from Dylan Davis.

“We don’t have to be in front, but we can’t be buried inside,” Ryerson said.

Others expected for the Ladies include Am Impazible, Bridlewood Cat, Lucky Move, Smooth With a Kick, Thankful, and Ujjayi.

◗ Stakes winners Laobanonaprayer and Vacay head a field of six New York-bred 3-year-old fillies entered Wednesday for Saturday’s $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs. The field also includes Secret Love, A Life That’s Good, Rossa Veloce, and Caramocha.