Ruffian the target for Via Strata

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Via Strata, an eight-length winner of a second-level allowance race at Keeneland on Thursday, could make her next start in the Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian Handicap at Belmont Park on May 9, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Friday.

Via Strata, a daughter or Street Cry owned by Godolphin Racing, is now 3 for 3 in her career. Her first two wins came sprinting over Aqueduct’s inner track. Thursday’s race was at 1 1/16 miles around two turns, and Via Strata earned a career-best 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

McLaughlin said he hopes the 30 days between races is enough time for Via Strata to recover from that fast race and perform at her best in the Ruffian.

McLaughlin’s stable has been on quite the roll lately. Over the last 30 days, he has won with 15 of 33 starters, including an 8-for-13 record through the first nine days of April.