Roar Emotion brings speed, needs stamina

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Just when Roar Emotion has learned to rate, it may be time to revert to her front-running ways again in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct.

, a multiple graded stakes winner, looms the main speed in the eight-horse field of fillies and mares assembled for the 134th running of the Ladies. The question is whether she can carry that speed 1 1/4 miles.

"It could be a touch far for her, but hopefully against this group we belong," said Kiaran McLaughlin, who trains Roar Emotion for Joe Allen. "She ran a very big race going a mile and a quarter this summer."

McLaughlin was referring to a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap. In that race, Roar Emotion made all the early pace and opened up a four-length lead in midstretch before being run down by Summer Wind Dancer.

Roar Emotion came back in the Personal Ensign, also at 1 1/4 miles, but went way too fast on the front end before finishing last.

McLaughlin gave Roar Emotion two months off and then ran her in the Turnback the Alarm, where she stalked a slow pace but was outfinished by Personal Legend. Three weeks later, Roar Emotion played the role of stalker again when third in the Top Flight Handicap, a one-turn mile race.

Mike Luzzi, a terrific front-end rider, gets the call on Roar Emotion, who carries top weight of 119 pounds.

and Points West appear to be the only other fillies with enough speed to be close to Roar Emotion early. Rare Gift lost a heartbreaker when second in the Grade 3 Anne Arundel at Pimlico. It was her second race back since overcoming a severe sinus infection that required veterinarians to drill a hole in the filly's head.

had shown speed in the past, but is coming off a third-level allowance win in which she rallied from 10 lengths back off a slow pace.

appears to be the best closer in the field. A New York-bred daughter of Goldminers Gold, Board Elligible comes off a five-length score in the Montauk Handicap three weeks ago. She finished ahead of Roar Emotion in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign.

Nevermore should appreciate the distance of the Ladies. Nevermore finished a close third in the Personal Ensign at Saratoga. She shows two bullet works for this and gets the services of leading rider Rafael Bejarano.

Miss Fortunate, Rendezvous Point, and French Hideaway complete the field.