Rice making plans for Newly Minted and Blindwillie McTell

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Linda Rice will give Newly Minted a chance against open company and try to stretch out Blindwillie McTell in distance as she makes plans for her pair of 3-year-olds who won stakes on Monday’s Empire Showcase Day card at Belmont Park.

Newly Minted, who improved her record to 3 for 3 with her victory in the $125,000 Bouwerie Stakes, will likely make her next start in the Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes for 3-year-old fillies here on July 5. That race is at 6 1/2 furlongs.

“The fact she was covered up and waited and was kind of in an awkward spot and still performed, yeah we’re pretty excited,” Rice said. “Going into open company and graded company will be a whole new ballgame. She deserves a chance.”

Blindwillie McTell, who won Monday’s $125,000 Mike Lee at seven furlongs by two lengths, will likely stretch out to 1 1/16-miles and two turns in the $125,000 New York Derby at Finger Lakes on July 20.

Rice said the New York Derby allows her to keep Blindwillie McTell with 3-year-olds and in New York-bred company. The only sprints for New York-breds would require taking on older horses.