Stonesintheroad scores impressive win in Franklin Square

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Rajiv Maragh had a decision to make regarding whom to ride in Saturday’s $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes at Aqueduct.

He could either remain on Stonesintheroad, whom Maragh had ridden to a pair of blowout victories for trainer Jeremiah Englehart, or keep the mount on Flush, whom Maragh rode to a 7 1/2-length maiden victory on Jan. 11 for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Maragh chose Stonesintheroad, and that turned out to be the smart move as Maragh guided Stonesintheroad to a front-running, 3 3/4-length victory in the Franklin Square for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies. Wadadli Princess caught pace pursuer Flush at the wire to get second by a nose.

Maiden Beauty was fourth, followed by Quietude and Forgotten Hero, the 3-2 favorite.

Stonesintheroad, a daughter of Bustin Stones owned and bred by Team Penney Racing, has now won all three of her starts by a combined 14 lengths.

“Very high on this horse,” Maragh said. “From the mornings to the races, she’s shown us a lot of ability, and we think she can be a special sprinter, so I want to stick with her.”

Stonesintheroad broke a little to the right, but Maragh quickly straightened her out, and they were able to make a one-length lead through an opening quarter of 22.91 seconds, maintaining a similar margin after a half-mile in 46.12.

Stonesintheroad spurted clear in upper stretch and was never seriously threatened to the wire.

Stonesintheroad covered six furlongs in 1:10.66 and returned $5.90 as the second choice.

“She’s really fast naturally, and she got to the lead and got relaxed on the lead,” Maragh said. “I was real happy that she was in a good flow, like she was going to have something left with to finish, and she did.”

The victory was one of two on the card for Maragh, who was leaving Aqueduct to catch a flight to Florida, where on Sunday he will attend a family friend’s funeral. Maragh will take off his two scheduled mounts on Aqueduct’s Sunday card.