My Impression poised to rebound in Plenty of Grace Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – My Impression, a three-time stakes winner at age 3, threw in a dud in her 4-year-old debut last month at Tampa Bay Downs. But there are a few reasons to think that she will bounce back in Saturday’s $100,000 Plenty of Grace Stakes at Aqueduct.

First, My Impression has a penchant for following a dull performance with a sharp one. Second, she is 2 for 3 over Aqueduct’s turf, including a win in the Winter Memories Stakes here last Nov. 25.

“That’s one of the reasons we decided to go up there and run,” trainer Shug McGaughey said.

My Impression, a daughter of Sky Mesa, meets six rivals in the Plenty of Grace, scheduled for one mile on the turf. The Plenty of Grace goes as the seventh on a nine-race card that begins at 1:20 p.m. Eastern.

In her lone start this year, My Impression finished fifth, beaten 7 1/4 lengths by Dickinson, in the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa. She lagged near the back of the pack before launching a short-lived bid around the turn.

“I was disappointed in it,” McGaughey said. “She may have needed it. She bounced out of it good.”

In the fall of 2015, My Impression won a maiden race at Aqueduct after finishing eighth in her career debut at Belmont. Last fall, My Impression won the Grade 3 Commonwealth Oaks at Laurel after a sixth-place finish in the Lake Placid at Saratoga.

Jose Ortiz, the regular rider of My Impression, is at Keeneland on Saturday, so Dylan Davis has picked up the mount.

The Plenty of Grace features the turf debut of Bar of Gold, a multiple New York-bred stakes winner on dirt. She could play out as the primary speed under Chris DeCarlo. Rattataptap came off a 14-month layoff to win an allowance at Tampa for Bill Mott.

“She’s been training well,” Mott said. “We now have more in her. She should be ready to step up a notch.”

Bishop’s Pond, Light In Paris, My Sweet Girl, and Mizz Money complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

My Impression, by Sky Mesa

Last 3 Beyers: 87-92-90

◗ Turns back in distance from 1 1/8 miles, and a faster pace in the Plenty of Grace could benefit her late foot.

◗ At 123 pounds, she spots six to eight pounds to the rest of the field.

Rattataptap, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 82-76-88

◗ Rajiv Maragh picks up the mount.

Bar of Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 81-109-83

◗ Has been working sharply on dirt at Palm Meadows for her 5-year-old and turf debut. She worked four times on turf last summer at Saratoga, including a bullet half-mile in 46.83 seconds.

◗ May have been best when compromised by a wide trip and beaten half a length in last fall’s Presque Isle Masters over a synthetic surface.