Willet will return to racing

ELMONT, N.Y. – After Willet won the Interborough Stakes on New Year’s Day, trainer and part-owner Jimmy Iselin said it more than likely would be the end of her career.

But Iselin could not let go, and five months later, the 7-year-old New York-bred mare is working toward a return, probably in the $100,000 Dancin Renee Stakes for statebreds on June 28. Willet, a five-time stakes winner who still is searching for her first graded win, has worked three times, including a seven-furlong move in 1:26.63 on June 9 at Aqueduct.

“She’s training better than ever,” Iselin said. “I could have bred her, but it’s such a thrill to have her in the barn. She’s like a spring chicken.”

Iselin has Willet nominated to the Grade 3, $150,000 Bed o’ Roses on June 21 but said he’s unlikely to bring her back at seven furlongs, the distance of that race.

Willet, a daughter of Jump Start, has a record of 9-7-4 from 23 starts and earnings of $746,900.

“Our goal has always been to try to win a graded stakes,” Iselin said. “If she does come back and do well, fine. If she doesn’t, it was solely my decision.”