Tijori has look of a star entering Astoria Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – California based trainer Simon Callaghan doesn’t ship to New York all that often. But when he does, he usually comes with a pretty loaded hand.

Callaghan runs several very live looking stakes contenders at Belmont Park this week, beginning in Thursday’s $150,000 Astoria with Tijori. Tijori will meet seven rivals, including trainer Wesley Ward’s undefeated pair of Wonder Stone and Athens Queen, in the 5 1/2-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies.

Tijori, a daughter of Will Take Charge owned by Kaleem Shah, came highly touted for her career debut last month at Santa Anita and did not disappoint, drawing off to a wire-to-wire 3 1/4-length victory going 4 1/2 furlongs under jockey Flavien Prat and earning an 82 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She trained very forwardly since we got her,” Callaghan said. “She’s always shown a lot of natural speed and precociousness, and we thought she’d do very well the first time.”

Tijori, who brought $525,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. March sale, has continued to do well since her maiden tally.

“She hasn’t missed a beat since she won,” Callaghan said. “Her last breeze was great. I believe she should move forward off her first start, so obviously we’re going into this race with high expectations. The fact she drew outside should be a big help. Although she does have abundant speed, I think she will rate, and this gives us a good chance to break and sit outside horses if need be. I’ll just leave that to Flavien.”

Ward has dominated 2-year-old racing in Kentucky and New York over the past six weeks and should be a force to reckon with in the Astoria with Wonder Stone and Athens Queen, both of whom won at first asking going 4 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland on April 19 in near-identical time.

Wonder Stone, who’ll break from the rail under jockey John Velazquez, opened a clear early lead and extended her advantage to 3 1/2 lengths while defeating males in her only start, and she may be the best of the Ward duo.

“To me, it doesn’t matter running fillies against colts at this time of the year,” Ward said. “Actually, I believe fillies actually have an advantage at this stage. I always felt Wonder Stone was very special. Drawing the rail with her is my main concern. But she possesses so much natural talent, I think she has the ability to overcome it.”

Eyeinthesky has already proven she can win from off the pace, rallying from near midpack to a 3 1/2-length triumph launching her career at Churchill Downs less than two weeks ago. She could be the beneficiary of all the early speed in the Astoria lineup.

Lady Apple was transferred to trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn following a troubled second-place finish in her only start and could prove a sleeper with a race and three subsequent works at Churchill Downs under her belt.

Gallanor, Six Pack Gal, and Gorgeouswitha G, all winners at first asking, complete the field.