Miss Sky Warrior returns from layoff in Turnback the Alarm

ELMONT, N.Y. – Miss Sky Warrior, a multiple graded stakes-winning 3-year-old filly, returns from a lengthy layoff as part of a seven-horse field entered in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap at Belmont Park.

Miss Sky Warrior, who won the Tempted and Demoiselle at Aqueduct at 2 and the Gazelle this year, hasn’t run since finishing eighth in the Kentucky Oaks on May 5. Her objective for the fall is the Grade 3, $250,000 Comely on Nov. 24 at Aqueduct.

Miss Sky Warrior, who was “banged up” coming out of the Oaks, according to trainer Kelly Breen, has a strong work tab for her return. Still, Breen believes a race definitely will move her forward.

“Only thing I can do is run,” Breen said. “I don’t want to say this is a prep for the Comely, but if she’s not 100 percent fit, then this is a prep for the Comely.”

Miss Sky Warrior drew post 3 and will have Javier Castellano aboard for the first time. The others entered are A Place to Shine, Tejana, Verve’s Tale, Birdatthewire, Indian Paint, and Eskenformoney.

Also on Saturday’s 10-race card are the Grade 3, $200,000 Athenia and the $100,000 Awad.

The Athenia drew an overflow field of 13 led by a trio of runners – Elysea’s World, Off Limits, and Penjade – from the Chad Brown barn. The field includes California shippers Decked Out and Juno as well as Time and Motion, My Impression, Puca, Queen Caroline, Thundering Sky, Westit, and Conquest Tizfire, who is stuck on the also-eligible list.

A field of 10 2-year-olds, led by the New York-bred Therapist, was entered for the Awad, at a mile over the Widener turf course.