Stone Creator takes another shot at Yo Cuz in East View Stakes
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Stone Creator was no match for Yo Cuz when the two 3-year-old fillies met last month in the Maddie May Stakes, a race Yo Cuz won in hand by 3 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct.
Trainer Charlton Baker believes there are reasons Stone Creator can turn the tables on Yo Cuz when the two meet again in Sunday’s $100,000 East View Stakes, a seven-furlong race for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies on the final day of Aqueduct’s winter meet.
Aqueduct’s 15-day spring meet begins Thursday and runs through April 24.
Despite breaking outward in the Maddie May, Yo Cuz easily made the lead under Jose Ortiz, set moderate fractions, and in the stretch ran away from Stone Creator. Stone Creator stalked Yo Cuz from second under Kendrick Carmouche and finished in that position.
Baker agreed with the assessment that Carmouche rode Stone Creator a bit tepidly in the Maddie May, believing someone else might apply early pressure to Yo Cuz. In the East View, at seven furlongs, there does appear to be more early speed types, with Silver Fist from the rail and Sandy’s Garden from post 4, perhaps allowing Carmouche to sit back and make one run with Stone Creator.
“She gives you speed when you ask her to give it, but she really doesn’t want to do it,” Baker said. “She wants to settle and make that run. That’s how she works. She’ll work fast, but she’ll sit the first part and then pick it up.”
Baker feels Stone Creator has improved following the Maddie May, which was just her second start and followed a five-length maiden victory here Jan. 16.
“She’s training like she’s definitely found another gear,” Baker said.
On March 18, Stone Creator worked five furlongs in 59.01 seconds, the fastest of 37 workouts at the distance over the Belmont Park training track.
A slow start compromised Yo Cuz in her debut on Nov. 21 when she finished fifth in a six-furlong race. She came back as maiden in her second start to win the $500,000 Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes, defeating 10 rivals in that seven-furlong race. Coming off a two-month layoff, she dominated the Maddie May.
While both of her wins have come in front-running fashion, her connections don’t feel Yo Cuz is a need-the-lead type. She has been working behind horses in the morning, including during a bullet five-furlong move in 59.67 on March 14.
“The instructions will probably be what they always are: Play the break, don’t take away anything that comes easy,” said Leana Willaford, the Belmont-based assistant for trainer Bill Mott. “At least you’re on the outside, so you’re not forced to go.”
Ortiz, aboard for all three of Yo Cuz’s starts, is named to ride Sunday after riding in Dubai on Saturday.
Salsa a Parte, a daughter of Into Mischief, rallied from 12 lengths back to win her debut by a neck on Feb. 19. She and three-time stakes-placed Captainsdaughter would appreciate a rapid pace in front.
The East View goes as the eighth on a nine-race card that begins at 1:20 p.m.