Statebred allowance runs through Bluegrass Flag

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bluegrass Flag gave trainer Tom Morley his only New York victory of the winter meet when she sprang an 18-1 upset in a six-furlong maiden race here Jan. 14. On Thursday, Bluegrass Flag looks to give Morley his second winner at Aqueduct this season when she faces winners for the first time in a first-level allowance for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs.

Bluegrass Flag is one of just five entered in this $57,000 allowance/optional $75,000 claimer, the seventh race on an eight-race card that attracted just 49 entrants.

Bluegrass Flag, a daughter of Bluegrass Cat, finished seventh over Aqueduct’s main track Dec. 4 in her debut. She broke from post 10, raced wide throughout, and was beaten only 1 1/2 lengths for third in a race that produced three next-out winners.

On Jan. 14, Bluegrass Flag came back to record a front-running victory, outsprinting My Girl Annie to the front and keeping on going. Under Kendrick Carmouche, she easily held off My Girl Annie and Easy Way Out, an entry favored at 1-5.

In her first race, Bluegrass Flag “was caught extremely wide, and Kendrick did a great job of giving her a good education without beating her up,” Morley said.

“She came back next time, and I couldn’t believe she was such a big price,” he said. “Our New York division’s been very cold, but it didn’t surprise me that she won like she did. She could be anything, honestly.”

Bluegrass Flag will break from post 5 under Carmouche, whose 33 victories at this meet have him second in the jockey standings behind only Irad Ortiz Jr.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bluegrass Flag, by Bluegrass Cat

Beyers: 73-54

◗ Bluegrass Flag looks like she could be the primary speed in this spot, but being drawn on the outside gives Carmouche options.

“I’m delighted with the draw,” Morley said. “If someone’s going to go faster than her, at least we can sit outside and go from there, but I’m not going to tell Kendrick what to do. He knows her inside and out.”

Overnegotiate, by Overdriven

Last 3 Beyers: 49-57-65

◗ Cuts back to a sprint after finishing third in the East View Stakes at a mile and 70 yards on Dec. 30.

◗ Ran second to the multiple stakes winner Filibustin in the Key Cents Stakes going six furlongs last Nov. 25.

Wilburnmoney, by Wilburn

Last 3 Beyers: 57-49-34

◗ Finished third at this level last out but was blocked behind horses at the top of the stretch and had to rally five wide in the lane. She was beaten only 2 1/4 lengths.

◗ Also had a wide trip, and looked to be attempting to bear out, when finishing sixth in the Key Cents Stakes two starts back.