Si Que Es Buena good to go in Long Island

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Si Que Es Buena was a total unknown when she finished fourth at 60-1 in last year’s Grade 3 Long Island Stakes at Aqueduct. In the year since, there is evidence that Si Que Es Buena is quite talented and thus won’t be nearly that price when she runs in Saturday’s renewal of the Grade 3, $400,000 Long Island going 1 3/8 miles on turf.

Her start in last year’s Long Island was the first in the United States for Si Que Es Buena, who began her career in Peru, where she was a Group 3 winner going long. In the Long Island, Si Que Es Buena was last with three furlongs to go and was beaten just a length by Lady Paname.

“She was so far back, it took her that long to figure it out,” said Graham Motion, trainer of Si Que Es Buena. “We didn’t know her that well, Rajiv [Maragh] didn’t know that her well. She ran very respectably and went on to do good things afterwards.”

Following the Long Island, Si Que Es Buena won two stakes at Gulfstream, including the Grade 3 La Prevoyante at Gulfstream on Jan. 26. Motion said she was sore out of the La Prevoyante and was given time off. Upon her return, Si Que Es Buena was ambitiously placed in the Oct. 12 Grade 1 E.P. Taylor, where she finished sixth of 10, beaten 4 1/2 lengths.

“It was a big ask to go a mile and a quarter first time back,” Motion said. “She’s been great. She really hasn’t missed a beat since we started her back over the summer. She came out of the E.P. Taylor well and has done everything right since.”

Joel Rosario rides Si Que Es Buena, who will break from the rail.

Motion also sends out Empressof the Nile and Mercilla in the Long Island. Empressof the Nile comes out of a win in the Zagora Stakes here four weeks ago and is 2 for 2 over the Aqueduct course. She will have to work out a trip from post 11 under Irad Ortiz Jr. in what figures to be a 12-horse field.

Motion noted that Si Que Es Buena and Empressof the Nile have been workmates.

Mercilla, a 3-year-old, finished sixth in the Zagora, but was only beaten 1 1/4 lengths. The race proved Mercilla wants a marathon distance, which is why Motion entered her back in this spot.

Beau Belle is a live longshot in the Long Island. She won twice at Saratoga, before finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl and was beaten less than two lengths in the Zagora.

“She got a little hampered being on the inside,” trainer Tom Albertrani said. “I thought if she got out a little earlier, she might have been a little closer. It’s a bit of a step up for her, but she’s in there with a chance.”

Romantic Pursuit is a threat as the potential pacesetter under Dylan Davis. My Sister Nat, a half-sister to champion Sistercharlie; Entropia, Decorating, More Fun Again, Lift Up, Homeland Security, and Pivotal Connection round out the field in the body of the race. Wegetsdamunnys would need a scratch to get in. Another Broad and Team Win are entered only to run on the main track.