Schosberg looks to build on victory

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer Richard Schosberg hopes Wednesday's sixth race was a turning point for his stable. After winning just 3 races from 44 starters through the first three months of Aqueduct's inner-track meet, Schosberg won with his first starter in March when Bitabaz won a $25,000 claiming race Wednesday.

"Hopefully, when spring comes it's a new beginning for me," Schosberg said earlier in the day.

With temperatures expected near 50 degrees Friday, there will be a hint of spring in the air when Schosberg sends out both Giant Moon and Run With the Lark in the $65,000 G.J.G. Stakes for New York-breds at 1 1/16 miles.

Giant Moon, who won the Count Fleet as a 3-year-old, will be making his second start off an eight-month layoff in the G.J.G. In his first start, the Rough Rogue Stakes on Feb. 6, he finished a solid second behind Manteca, who capped a four-race winning streak with that victory.

"It was a good race," Schosberg said. "He was up there, kind of dropped back, made that move on the turn, got a little tired late. I think he'll improve a lot off that race. He's doing very well, I'm expecting a good effort from him."

Run With the Lark is responsible for one of Schosberg's other three wins at this meet, taking a second-level allowance here Dec. 13. After running a dull sixth in the Alex M. Robb Handicap, Run With the Lark has come back with a second and a third. Schosberg felt Run With the Lark was compromised by a wide trip in his last start.

"Six wide in a five-horse field," Schosberg said. "Welcome to my world."

Ramon Dominguez will ride Giant Moon from post 5, while Run With the Lark will break from post 3 under Richard Migliore.

R Clear Victory finished a half-length behind Giant Moon in the Rough Rogue after winning the Alex M. Robb from post 11 in December. Though R Clear Victory has come from off the pace in his last two starts, he has been extremely effective on the front end and could be the main speed here under Stewart Elliott.

Dr. D.F.C., who won a restricted stakes at Saratoga, drops back into statebred competition after finishing last in an open-company allowance race Feb. 14.

See More Spirit and Platinum Couple, both coming off allowance wins, complete the field.