Win With a Wink adds one more furlong
ELMONT, N.Y. - Unbeaten Win With a Wink looks to extend her winning streak to four in the $100,000 Maid of the Mist Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-old fillies Saturday at Belmont Park.
Trained by Bill Mott, Win With a Wink, a daughter of Dixieland Band, has gradually stretched out while keeping her record unblemished.
Win With a Wink debuted at Belmont on July 15 and drew off to a 4 1/4-length win at 5 1/2 furlongs despite an awkward start.
She stepped up to a first-level allowance at Saratoga and pulled out a nose victory over Laurentide Ice in the six-furlong race.
Back at Belmont, Win With a Wink beat Laurentide Ice again, prevailing by 2 3/4 lengths in the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes at seven furlongs.
Now comes the Maid of the Mist at one mile - where the increased distance could be a leveling factor.
"I wish something would equalize these two fillies," said Mark Hennig, Laurentide Ice's trainer. "They are pretty competitive. I don't know if the mile will play more into the other filly's hands or not."
Laurentide Ice also makes her fourth start. She sailed to an easy debut win, cruising by 8 1/4 lengths at Saratoga. Then came the two races against Win With a Wink.
"They are two consistent fillies," Hennig said. "They look like the two best of the group."
Caught Red Handed returns to the statebred ranks after two open-company efforts at Monmouth Park.
Her debut was an embarrassing moment for trainer Kelly Breen, as he flew from New Jersey to Saratoga with owner Dennis Narlinger and jockey Joe Bravo for the race on Aug. 11. Amid high expectations, she ran last as the 4-5 favorite.
"She wasn't herself," Breen said. "We were all gung-ho, but when she came out, I told Joe 'I don't know how we can scratch a first-time starter because she doesn't look good.'
"The race was like the parting of seas. She had her own lane, but she just wasn't there."
Back at Monmouth, Caught Red Handed regrouped to miss by only a neck in her second start. She followed that effort with a commanding 7 3/4-length maiden win.
Trying to avoid a repeat of the Saratoga experience, Breen shipped the filly early to Belmont. She arrived on Wednesday and galloped over the track Thursday morning. This will be her first race beyond 5 1/2 furlongs.
Completing the field are Queen of Green, Megan's World, Grand Merger, My Kitty, and Golden Dreamer.