Ruffian right fit for Spelling Again

ELMONT, N.Y. – Spelling Again, scratched from Saturday’s Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs, was to be put on a van Tuesday morning headed to New York for Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian Stakes at Belmont Park.

Trainer Brad Cox felt the Humana Distaff came up very tough and that the one-mile distance of the Ruffian was a better fit for Spelling Again, whose last win came in the Grade 2 Chilukki going a one-turn mile last Nov. 7 at Churchill. Three weeks after that, Spelling Again finished third to Taris in the Grade 3 Go for Wand at Aqueduct. Taris won the seven-furlong Humana Distaff.

“I think a mile is a better distance for her,” Cox said. “Seven-eighths is not her thing.”

Cox said the Ruffian is not an easy race, but it’s “not as deep” as the Humana Distaff.

Among those pointing for the Ruffian are Cavorting, Carrumba, Calamity Kate, Call Pat, Include Betty, and perhaps Makena.