Mrs. Ramona G. a course and distance fit in License Fee Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Jeremiah Englehart has been shopping around for a spot for his filly Mrs. Ramona G. and he hopes has found the right one in Sunday’s $125,000 License Fee Stakes at six furlongs on the turf at Belmont Park.

Englehart had Mrs. Ramona G. based in South Florida this winter where she won an allowance race and finished third in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf. Englehart thought about a race at Tampa Bay Downs and one at Laurel Park for Mrs. Ramona G., then entered her in the Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland earlier this month. He went as far as shipping the filly to Keeneland for a workout before scratching from the Giant’s Causeway.

“She was there, was ready to run, but I just thought this would be a little bit better for her,” Englehart said.

Mrs. Ramona G. is 2 for 2 at Belmont, including a maiden win at six furlongs in September 2017 and an allowance win over yielding turf last October. Overall, she is 3 for 3 at the License Fee distance of six furlongs.

Though this will be her first start since Jan. 19, Mrs. Ramona G. has been ready to run for a while, Englehart said.

“Her last work at Belmont was one of her better ones,” Englehart said. “I’m excited to see what she’ll do Sunday.”

Fire Key returns to Belmont after a winter campaign at Gulfstream Park where she ran four times without success. She will be making her first start for trainer Jim Ryerson, who said he received the 6-year-old mare only two weeks ago.

“She came up in good shape, and other than pushing back a breeze everything’s gone well,” Ryerson said.

Fire Key is a three-time winner at Belmont, including a three-quarter-length victory over Fear No Eveil in the Floral Park Stakes going six furlongs over yielding ground last October.

Broadway Run, winner of the Coronation Cup over good ground at Saratoga last July, makes her 4-year-old debut in this spot. Goldwood, Misericordia, Albertville, and Fear No Evil complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mrs. Ramona G., by Kantharos
Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-83

◗ Perfect (2 for 2) at Belmont, perfect (3 for 3) at the distance, and proven to be able to fire fresh.

◗ Manny Franco, leading rider at both the Aqueduct and Belmont winter meets, rides for first time.

Fire Key, by Friesan Fire
Last 3 Beyers: 90-93-88

◗ Hampered by poor starts on a couple of occasions in stakes at Gulfstream, 6-year-old mare cuts back to her preferred distance on her preferred course.

◗ Picks up Eclipse Award-winning rider Jose Ortiz.

Broadway Run, by Prospective
Last 3 Beyers: 70-84-80

◗ Returns to a course where she has a win and two seconds from three starts.

◗ Could play out as the primary speed.