Options abound for undefeated Stonesintheroad

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The connections of Stonesintheroad will have plenty to mull over as they decide where next to run their undefeated 3-year-old filly.

Stonesintheroad improved her record to 3 for 3 by virtue of her 3 3/4-length victory in last Saturday’s $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes at Aqueduct. All three of her wins have come in races restricted to New York-breds. The next opportunity to run against restricted company is the $200,000 Park Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes series on April 20. Stonesintheroad is a daughter of the New York-based stallion Bustin Stones.

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart said he also may consider open-company options if there is a race that makes sense. There is the $100,000 Cicada on March 23 at Aqueduct.

“We might look to try her against open company or graded company to maximize her potential worth,” Englehart said.

Stonesintheroad has won her three starts by a combined 14 lengths.

“She reminds me a lot of her dad,” Englehart said, referring to the New York-bred Bustin Stones who won the Grade 1 Carter. “She walks up to the gate with her ears up, goes right in, and she wants to do it, which is nice in that regard.”

Stonesintheroad, owned by Team Penney Racing, earned a 78 Beyer Speed Figure for her Franklin Square victory.

Englehart also has a promising New York-bred 3-year-old male horse in Castle Casanova, a son of Cairo Prince who won a maiden race Feb. 22 at Aqueduct with a 75 Beyer Speed Figure. Englehart said he may look at the Gander for New York-breds here on March 17.

“Ideally, I’d like to give him a little more time,” Englehart said. “He came out of the race well, he’s a horse I think is going to keep on improving. He reminds me of Forty Under, which makes me think he might be better turf. He’s a strong work horse, very athletic. He hasn’t figured everything out just yet.”

Speaking of Forty Under, the Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes winner, Englehart said he has had four workouts at Palm Meadows in South Florida. A potential starting point for Forty Under is the $100,000 Woodhaven, a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes April 20 at Aqueduct.

“He’s ahead of schedule,” Englehart said.

Forty Under, owned by Hall of Fame football coach Bill Parcells, finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last November at Churchill Downs.

◗ Beginning March 10, first post at Aqueduct will be 1:30 p.m. For the six racing days before then, first post remains 12:50 p.m.