Willet trying to go out in blaze of glory

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Willet may not be done racing just yet.

Following Willet’s third-place finish as the favorite in the Garland of Roses at Aqueduct on Dec. 6, trainer and part-owner Jimmy Iselin seemed to be leaning toward retiring Willet, a four-time New York-bred stakes winner.

But in the subsequent month, Iselin has been pleased with the 7-year-old mare’s training. If she continues to impress, Willet is likely to run in the $100,000 Interborough Stakes here Jan. 17.

Iselin typically has given Willet the winter off from racing. But because she might be bred later this year, Iselin is considering running her in the Interborough and perhaps the Grade 2, $300,000 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park on Feb. 14.

Willet, a daughter of Jump Start, is winless in five graded stakes attempts. In 2014, she finished third in both the Grade 1 Ballerina and Grade 2 Gallant Bloom. In 2012, she was beaten a neck when second in the Grade 2 Go For Wand.

“She’s never run in the winter, but she’s flourishing physically and mentally,” Iselin said Thursday. “On that basis, it’s worth considering running in the Interborough.”

Iselin said there are many people interested in buying Willet as a broodmare prospect. An open-company or graded stakes victory certainly would enhance her value.

“I wouldn’t run her in the Interborough if I didn’t think she was up to it, and if she didn’t run any good, that would be it,” Iselin said.

Iselin said that if Willet does run well in the Interborough, then the Barbara Fritchie would be an option. The only problem with the Barbara Fritchie is that it’s on the same day that Iselin is scheduled to undergo knee-replacement surgery.