Ria Antonia looks strong out of Spinster

On Wednesday, trainer Tom Amoss confirmed Ria Antonia for the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, saying the 3-year-old filly exited her runner-up finish here Sunday in the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes in fine shape.

“She ran the best race of her career on the Ragozin sheets,” said Amoss. “Now we’re hoping she progresses forward again when she goes back to the track where she had her greatest success.”

Last year at Santa Anita, Ria Antonia was awarded a victory by disqualification in the BC Juvenile Fillies.

In the meantime, Amoss will stay busy with some of his lesser-known stock, including Highroller Dave, a 5-year-old gelding going for his seventh straight victory in the second race here Friday. Owned by the perennial national wins leader Midwest Thoroughbreds, Highroller Dave will have A.P. Corsair and Como Se Llama as his chief threats in a field of six in the six-furlong starter allowance.

“The horse is doing really well, and we’re hoping for the best,” said Amoss.

Amoss, who frequently employed Leandro Goncalves aboard his horses, said he intends to use Kentucky newcomer Abel Lezcano now that Goncalves has announced he will be riding year-round in South Florida.

Lezcano, a 24-year-old Panamanian, recently arrived here from New York and plans to ride through the Churchill Downs meet before heading to Fair Grounds for the winter, said agent Joe Paulley. A first cousin of jockey Jose Lezcano, he won his first Keeneland race Sunday aboard the 7-1 shot Tellalittlesecret.

“He’s a good, smart rider,” said Amoss. “He can help me off a horse as much as on one. I plan to use him quite a bit.”