Relief, but not a whole lot for One Way Flight

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - After running against the likes of Achilles of Troy and Too Much Bling in his last two starts, One Way Flight would appear to have found some class relief in Sunday's $100,000 Times Square division of the New York Stallion Stakes at Aqueduct.

A seven-furlong race restricted to 3-year-olds sired by New York-based stallions, the Times Square is easier, but it is by no means an easy spot. One Way Flight will face 10 rivals in the Times Square, including stakes winners Classic Pack and Strummer.

The Times Square shares billing with the Park Avenue, a $100,000 race for the 3-year-old fillies sired by New York-based stallions.

As a 2-year-old, went 2 for 2 against restricted company, including a 13 1/4-length win in the Aspirant Stakes at Finger Lakes. He was injured in August and didn't make it back to the races until January.

A slow start cost him any chance against in the Jimmy Winkfield, in which One Way Flight finished third. One Way Flight ran second to Achilles of Troy in the Whirlaway, his first start around two turns, before setting the pace and being inhaled by Too Much Bling in the Grade 3 Bay Shore just two weeks ago.

"That was a good race," said Toby Sheets, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "He ran against a really nice horse, he put forth a good effort, and he came out of it fine."

After winning the Winkfield, Strummer finished third to Like Now in the Fred "Cappy" Capossela Sakes, a performance that looks better since Like Now came back to win the Gotham. An overnight stakes for New York-breds didn't fill in early April, which is why Strummer has not raced since Feb. 18. Bush said he is more concerned about the seven furlongs than the layoff.

"I think Strummer's Achilles' heel here is going to be the seven-eighths," Bush said. "The family hasn't wanted to stretch out at all."

went 3 for 5 at as a 2-year-old, with his only losses coming to subsequent open company stakes winners First Samurai and Smart Humor. Classic Pack has not run since last November, but did work five furlongs in 59.60 seconds on April 13, suggesting he is ready for this. He drew post 2 and figures to attack One Way Flight, who is on the rail, early.

"I hope he has enough speed like he did last year and comes out of there on top," said trainer Mike Hernandez.

With so much speed in here, the Times Square could set up for California shipper Say Tomorrow, who makes his first start against restricted company after competing in open- company stakes at Santa Anita.

Little Miss Zip returns in Park Avenue

Little Miss Zip heads a contentious 11-horse field entered to run in the Park Avenue. Little Miss Zip went 2 for 6 as a 2-year-old, including a victory in the Lady Fingers Stakes at Finger Lakes. She may have run her best race, however, when she was beaten three-quarters of a length in the Maid of the Mist at one mile in the slop last October at Belmont.

could be the main speed of this field, though trainer Steve Klesaris said he has been working her behind horses in the morning.

"We've worked her a few times that way. She's worked correctly," said Klesaris. "She's trained very forwardly for this race. She looks good. We're expecting a good effort from her."

Klesaris is adding blinkers to Little Miss Zip's equipment. Klesaris is 8 for his last 19 adding blinkers.

, second in the Dearly Precious; Artistic Express, winner of the seven-furlong Joseph A. Gimma; and Motor City Mama, runner-up in the Karakorum Splendor, top the list of contenders.