Laurelin returns in Listed Memories of Silver

Newstead Stables’ stakes-winner Laurelin is set for her seasonal debut off an over five-month layoff in Sunday’s Listed $150,000 Memories of Silver, a one-mile inner turf test for sophomore fillies, at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Trained by Graham Motion, the Zarak chestnut is 2-for-2 with both scores earned over the local turf, including a 1 1/16-mile debut score in October ahead of the one-mile Tepin last out in November. Kendrick Carmouche, aboard for those two victories, will be back in the saddle from post 2. 

“I think this race makes sense,” said Motion. “Honestly, I have thought of waiting a little longer, but with just the fact that she’s run so well at Aqueduct, and I think she’s basically ready to get going.” 

In the Tepin, Laurelin stalked 3 1/2 lengths back in fourth position early, exchanging bumps with a rival near the three-sixteenths pole but staying on strong for a half-length score over Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks-probable Five G in a final time of 1:36.85. Laurelin traveled more forwardly than on debut, when she rallied from eight lengths back in 9th-of-10 to win by 1 1/2 lengths going one sixteenth longer.

Motion said Laurelin’s respite was planned in hopes of a strong sophomore campaign.

“I didn’t really want to take her to Florida after her last race,” said Motion. “I thought she needed some time to grow up, and I believe the time has done her good. She is very straightforward in the mornings.” 

Bred in Ireland by M. H. Dixon and Mount Coote Estates, Laurelin, out of the winning Cape Cross mare Bari, was a $169,488 purchase from Book 1 of the 2023 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.

Trainer Chad Brown will send out stakes-winner Opulent Restraint [post 5, Irad Ortiz, Jr.] and Grade 2-placed Virgin Colada [post 9, Flavien Prat], as he looks for a record-extending fifth Memories of Silver triumph. 

The five-time Eclipse Award-winner has notched past scores with Sweet Rebecca last year, Consumer Spending [2022], Significant Form [2018] and Consumer Credit [2015].

Stephanie Seymour Brant’s Irish-bred Opulent Restraint enters from a fourth when making her sophomore debut in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Florida Oaks on March 8 at Tampa Bay Downs. The Dubawi gray pressed the pace before weakening in her first effort in over four months. 

As a juvenile, Opulent Restraint went 2-for-3 capped by a nose victory in the local 1 1/16-mile Listed Chelsey Flower in October. All four of her career starts have been made at that distance.

“She didn’t ship well to Tampa last time and really blew up in the paddock. We’re hoping she handles the ship to Aqueduct better. She ran well there in the fall,” Brown said. 

Resolute Racing’s Virgin Colada was an impressive closing winner in her 1 1/16-mile debut in July at Saratoga Race Course ahead of three stakes attempts. The More Than Ready bay was a half-length second in the Listed P.G. Johnson in August at the Spa ahead of a deep-closing runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Miss Grillo in October here. 

The classy placings warranted a Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf try, where she finished off-the-board in November at Del Mar. Virgin Colada breezed a half-mile in 49 seconds flat on Saturday over the Belmont Park dirt training track, and Brown believes she is ready to get going again. 

“She had a nice freshening after the Breeders’ Cup. She had a nice breeze [Saturday] and we’re looking forward to getting her back on the track,” said Brown.  

Edward Seltzer, Beverly Anderson and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Love Cervere [post 7, Manny Franco] was a half-length second to begin her campaign in the one-mile Listed Ginger Brew on January 4 at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Christophe Clement, the Into Mischief bay subsequently cut back slightly to 7 1/2 furlongs when fifth in the Listed Sanibel Island in March there. 

Miguel Clement, son and assistant to Christophe, said Love Cervere is coming into this race nicely. 

“I think she'll be spot on for this race. I'm more excited with her preparation leading into this race than her last race,” said Clement. “She ran a touch flat in her last race, but it was her first race in a while and she's in a better rhythm at the moment. I'm expecting her to produce a better effort."

Clement was pleased with Love Cervere’s Ginger Brew where she checked hard early and rallied up the inside to finish a half-length behind subsequent back-to-back graded stakes-winner Nitrogen. 

"It was a very good effort. She showed tactical speed, and she was brave. It was a gutsy effort, not many horses, especially 3-year-old fillies in their second start, that crashed through the rail would re-rally and nearly win the race for you. It was great to get black type that day,” Clement said. 

Love Cervere entered the Ginger Brew from a respite dating to a local debut win sprinting six furlongs in November here. She closed to a 2 1/4-length victory over Tam I Am in a final time of 1:09.61. 

Love Cervere, bred by Edward Seltzer and Beverly Seltzer, is out of the stakes-placed Black Minnaloushe mare Panther Strike, a half-sister to graded-winners Sky Treasure, Surgical Strike, and graded-placed Axthelm.  

"She's an exciting filly. She's very well bred by Mr. Seltzer and we're fortunate to train this filly in a partnership organized by Mr. Dean Reeves. She's been a great acquisition for the stable,” said Clement. “Nothing is better than to have success for a long-term breeder we've been involved with for generations and one of the most loyal supporters of our stable.” 

Glassman Racing’s Candy Quest [post 6, Dylan Davis] was a last-out half-length second to Spirited Boss in the Sanibel Island. Trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse, the Connect dark bay closed to win a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer three weeks earlier there. 

Candy Quest’s other two efforts came in turf sprints, including a debut graduation sprinting six furlongs under Dylan Davis in October at Belmont at the Big A. Out of the winning Candy Ride mare Candy Crush, Candy Quest, a half-sister to 2021 Canadian Champion 3-Year-Old Colt Frosted Over, was a $225,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. 

Rounding out the field are the Grade 3-placed pair of Icona Mama [post 1, Ruben Silvera] for trainer Flint Stites and Italian Soiree [post 3, John Velazquez] for conditioner John Terranova; stakes-winner Burner Account [post 8, Anthony Salgado] for trainer Miguel Rodriguez; and maiden-winner Shesinamood [post 4, Jose Lezcano] for conditioner Melanie Giddings. 

Bernieandtherose is entered for the main track-only. 

The Memories of Silver is slated as Race 8 on Sunday’s nine-race program, which also marks Closing Day of the Aqueduct spring meet. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern. 

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the spring meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.