Yorkiepoo Princess looks impressive in Ruthless Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Yorkiepoo Princess backed up her good-looking victory in the Furlough Stakes on Thanksgiving Day with an equally, if not more, impressive triumph in Saturday’s $100,000 Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct.

Chasing the front-running Waves of Blue early, Yorkiepoo Princess, under Irad Ortiz Jr., ran right by that rival at the three-eighths pole and galloped to a 7 1/2-length victory in the Ruthless for 3-year-old fillies. Tiz Rae Anna, who was not entered when the Ruthless was originally scheduled for Jan. 8, got up for second by a half-length over Banty’s Girl.

Bride Street, Treatherlikestar, and Waves of Blue completed the order of finish. Kissin Cassie was scratched.

The victory was the third from six starts for Yorkiepoo Princess, a daughter of Kantharos owned by Danny Chen and trained by Eddie Barker. She was purchased as a 2-year-old for $8,000 and now has earned $154,811.

Ortiz was 2 for 2 on Yorkiepoo Princess, but was not named to ride her last Sunday because he was on suspension. Last Sunday’s card was canceled due to extreme cold.

In the Furlough, Ortiz put Yorkiepoo Princess on the lead when the other speed in the race didn’t break. On Saturday, Ortiz was content to sit second early, but not for too long.

“Speed is good the last two days, so I let her move a little early to make the lead and then go from there,” Ortiz said.

Barker said he could tell Ortiz had plenty of horse when he asked the filly to run.

Barker said he knew Waves of Blue “was fast out of the gate and I left it up to Irad. I was watching through the binoculars and he was just sitting on her. What a turn of foot, though.”

Yorkiepoo Princes covered the six furlongs in 1:12.42 and returned $3.60 as the favorite.

Barker said he would keep Yorkiepoo Princess sprinting. However, the next sprint stakes for 3-year-old fillies on this circuit isn’t until the $100,000 Cicada on March 25.