Saguaro Row clearly best in Interborough Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As the only horse in his care at the Fair Hill training center in Maryland, assistant trainer Jose Vargas knew exactly how well Saguaro Row was doing entering Monday’s $100,000 Interborough Stakes.

Vargas, the assistant to trainer Mike Stidham, said his biggest concern was having a new rider on Saguaro Row’s back as Jose Lezcano was riding the 5-year-old mare for the first time.

No one is riding better this winter at Aqueduct than Lezcano, who gave Saguaro Row a perfect trip en route to a 2 3/4-length victory in the Interborough at chilly Aqueduct. It was one of four wins from five mounts on the day for Lezcano.

“I was very confident with her, she was training really good every morning,” Vargas said. ”I was hoping the filly fit Jose because she ran such great races for [Joel] Rosario. That was the main concern I had, but he rode her perfect.”

Lezcano had Saguaro Row in fourth, behind a trio of frontrunners, Our Circle of Love, New Year’s Wish and Abounding Joy, who were within 1 1/2 lengths of each other through a half-mile in 47.50 seconds into the wind.

Around the turn, Lezcano advanced Saguaro Row four wide, she took over turning for home and, while kept to task, she finished 2 3/4 lengths clear of Abounding Joy. It was 6 3/4 lengths to Honor Way, who was followed, in order, by Our Circle of Love, Slimey, New Year’s Wish, and Champagne Bliss. Piedi Bianchi scratched.

Saguaro Row, a 5-year-old daughter of Union Rags owned by Newtown Anner Stud and breeder Mark Green, covered seven furlongs in 1:25.13. She returned $5.50 as the 8-5 favorite.

“The assistant told me not to rush he rout of the gate let her sit,” Lezcano said. “When I asked her at the quarter pole and swung her out, she came running.”

Lezcano, who won Sunday’s Ladies Handicap aboard Bellera, has a meet-leading 38 victories, 16 more than Manny Franco. Lezcano has six stakes win at the meet.

Saguaro Row, who won the Pumpkin Pie Stakes here in November, is 5 for 13 with earnings of $319,104. She will now be pointed to the Grade 3, $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel Park on Feb. 15.