Ghalia Princess may get stalking trip in Cicada Stakes; $75,633 carryover in pick six

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The proven ability to rate and a turn back to six furlongs could give Ghalia Princess an edge when she meets two-time stakes winner Miss Harriett and three others in Saturday’s $100,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

The Cicada will go as race 6 on a Saturday card that filled only eight races. First post is 1:20 p.m. Saturday's card will feature a $75,633 carryover in the pick six after the multi-race wager went unhit for the second consecutive day on Friday.

Ghalia Princess, a daughter of American Pharoah trained by Brad Cox, needed the length of the stretch to run down Motown Dynamic by a head in a six-furlong maiden race on Jan. 20 at Fair Grounds. That race proved productive as Motown Dynamic came back to win her next start by 6 1/4 lengths, while third-place finisher, Harbor Springs, won her next out by six lengths.

Meanwhile, Ghalia Princess shipped to New York to run in the Feb. 17 Ruthless Stakes, at seven furlongs, where, after breaking from the rail, she dueled on the lead, had command turning for home, but was overtaken and ultimately beaten 1 3/4 lengths by race favorite Halina’s Forte.

“She broke good, Brad wanted her to be part of the race that day, that was how it unfolded,” said Dustin Dugas, Cox’s New York-based assistant. “I don’t mind her cutting back to the three-quarters. She can break and let the race unfold in front of her if they do happen to have a speed battle.”

Dugas said he’s been pleased with Ghalia Princess’s two workouts since the race. Manny Franco rides from the rail.

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The other four runners in the field have shown a tendency to be forward, though it remains to be seen how fast they want or can go early.

Miss Harriett, a Maryland-bred daughter of Blofeld, won the Maryland Million Lassie as a first-time starter last October. After a fifth-place finish in the Smart Halo Stakes in November, Miss Harriett was given time off. She returned to the races in January with a seven-length first-level allowance win followed by a three-quarter-length victory in the Wide Country Stakes, the latter at seven furlongs. All of her races have been at Laurel Park.

Brandon McFarlane, trainer of Miss Harriett, said he does like the idea of turning back to six furlongs and believes his filly can rate if need be.

“She can rate but she’s just so quick,” McFarlane said. “We’ll just keep doing what’s working. We’ll be forward for sure.”

Kendrick Carmouche rides Miss Harriett from post 4.

Reconcile was the horse Ghalia Princess dueled with early in the Ruthless. She faded to fifth that day. Reconcile did work five furlongs on Wednesday in 1:01.60, which is a bit unusual this close to a race. Reconcile, who will go out for Adam Rice, breaks from post 5 under Jose Lezcano.

It took Value Area six times to win her first race, but she did beat next-out winner Best Impression in a seven-furlong race on Jan. 27. She came from off the pace to finish third in the Ruthless.

Anna’s Wish, a front-running winner of a starter allowance on Feb. 18, completes the field.

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