Ouchy Night to try going longer

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Tom Bush has always wanted to try Ouchy Night around two turns, and in Friday's feature at Aqueduct it appears as though he has found the ideal spot to conduct the experiment.

"That's a tough race to get to go," Bush said of the open-company first-level allowance race going long. "I'm hoping to try her long one time. Three-quarters on the inner track doesn't suit her."

After making the first 13 starts of her career in sprints, Ouchy Night meets six nondescript opponents in this $43,000 feature, scheduled for a mile and 70 yards over the inner track.

Ouchy Night may be the only New York-bred in the field, but in the likes of Rightly So, La Concerto, Sapphire Sky, and Meese Rocks she has met more accomplished rivals than those in this race. In her last start, a first-level allowance sprint, Ouchy Night was beaten 5 3/4 lengths by Meese Rocks, who came back to win a sprint stakes on Feb. 5.

"That one-other-than sprint was a solid-looking race," Bush said. "I definitely want to try her in this spot."

Two starts back, Ouchy Night took advantage of a fast pace and a ground-saving trip to win a second-level New York-bred allowance by two lengths going seven furlongs over Aqueduct's main track.

Bush said that win or lose Friday he is likely to give Ouchy Night a freshening following this race, because he wants to try her on the turf in the spring.

Anna Napravnik, aboard Ouchy Night for her last two starts, has the call again Friday from post 3.

Three horses in this field are coming off a win, albeit against softer company. Spring Elusion returned from a four-month layoff for trainer Linda Rice to win a $25,000 claiming race by widening 2 3/4 lengths around two turns on Dec. 30.

Crafty Gem also won a two-turn race over the inner track, by 11 3/4 lengths, though it was in a $12,500 maiden claiming event. Zaphyra won a seven-furlong maiden race at Laurel on Jan. 16.

Sophie's Joy, away from the races for a year after six double-digit-length defeats, will be making her first start for trainer John Terranova. Star Orchid and Spina complete the field.

The third race on the card is a competitive starter allowance led by Propellor Jones, who won a maiden $50,000 claiming race at Gulfstream last out. She faces debut winners Lion Attack and Green Shoots.