Searching for turf, Lobo ships in Madrilena

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Paulo Lobo has won with three of the five horses he has shipped to New York this year, the losses coming in graded stakes. The Kentucky-based trainer will look for more success on the NYRA circuit when he ships the 5-year-old Argentine-bred mare Madrilena to Aqueduct for a first-level allowance scheduled for six furlongs on turf that serves as the feature on Thursday’s nine-race card.

Madrilena has made just two starts for Lobo, a third-place finish in the mud at Ellis Park in July and a second-place finish going six furlongs in a second-level turf allowance on Sept. 13 at Ellis Park. So, in essence she is dropping in class here Thursday.

“Both races that she ran here were very good, especially the last one, and we were looking for a grass race and we found one in New York,” Lobo said from Kentucky.

In her last start, Madrilena broke from the outside in an 11-horse field, received a stalking trip under Gerardo Corrales, but may have made the lead too soon before being run down by repeating winner Arrobatic.

“I believe so,” said Lobo, who has Javier Castellano to ride Thursday.

Lobo said Madrilena had muscle problems in Argentina, which is why she was limited to only five career starts.

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Lobo said he was encouraged enough with Madrilena’s start on dirt that if this race is transferred to the main track, she will still run.

Breeze Easy was nailed on the wire by Mrs. Green in this same first-level allowance condition here Oct. 15. She is one of five horses from that race who are back in this spot, which carries a $90,000 purse; it was $105,000 during the Belmont at the Big A meet.

Breeze Easy, who had previously raced in four stakes, finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Runaway Rockette in that race.

“I thought she ran great last time and I’m excited to see her run,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “She’s been a bit unlucky in a couple of stakes, but she can run.”

Joel Rosario rides Breeze Easy from post 6.

Clement also sends out Gal in a Rush, who is multiple stakes-placed but who has yet to cross the finish line first in any of her eight starts. Her lone win came via disqualification.

Of the others exiting the Oct. 15 race who are in this field, Fontanafredda had the most difficult trip when finishing fourth. Leaving the gate, she was bumped, squeezed, and forced to steady, putting her last in the 10-horse field. She finished with interest and was beaten 3 1/2 lengths.

The speedy Glitter Up, Runaway Rockette, and Miss Tapirado also come out of that Oct. 15 race.

Glitter Up will likely find company on the front end with Train to Artemus, who has won three consecutive races, including a starter allowance Sept. 25. That was her first start after being claimed for $35,000 by Kelly Breen.

Big Tentations, Silky Blue, Tweaqued, and Laugh and Play complete the body of the field. Queen Sheba and Chloe Rose are on the also-eligible list, and Alarm Clock is entered for the main track.

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