Linda Rice wins five races on Thursday's card at Aqueduct Racetrack
Trainer Linda Rice posted a five-win day on Thursday at Aqueduct Racetrack, winning in each of the races she entered as well as finishing second with her two other runners on the eight-race card.
"I thought we had some chances but there were horses in there when I looked at the paper that I thought had a chance, but they might run third,” Rice said. “Racing can be a very humbling game.”
Rice currently holds a lofty lead in the trainer standings at the Aqueduct winter meet, bringing her total to 20 with her wins on Thursday, 14 more than Brad Cox in second. She was the leading trainer at The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) last year, completing the campaign with a record 172 training wins. She also came out on top as the leading trainer at last year’s winter, spring and fall meets at Aqueduct.
"I have concentrated my stable in New York. I stay right here and try to focus on the New York circuit,” Rice said. “Winter racing has been a good product for me in the past here and we're excited about moving on to the new Belmont."
Rice posted a natural hat trick to start off her day, beginning in Race 2 with the Sahin Civaci-piloted Always Practical [No. 2, $12.12], who took the six-furlong starter allowance by a half-length over stablemate Sheer Will.
In Race 3, Civaci and Rice headed back to the winner’s circle when Adventurist [No. 6, $5.74] prevailed in a nine-furlong claiming route. One race later, Sweetest Princess [No. 4, $6.62] scored by 2 3/4 lengths under Jose Lezcano in Race 4, a one-turn mile state-bred optional claimer.
Rice posted another training exacta in Race 6 when Vino Frizzante [No. 4, $4.02*] held sway over Chocolatechocolate by 3 1/2 lengths in the seven-furlong claiming tilt under Lezcano.
The day concluded with the New York-bred multiple stakes-winner With the Angels [No. 5, $3.38*] living up to her heavy favoritism, stalking and pouncing to victory in Race 8, an open-company 6 1/2-furlong optional-claimer. The win gave Lezcano his third on the card.
“She showed a little bit more speed today,” said Lezcano, who teamed up with Rice to win five races on a single card on April 4, 2024 at Aqueduct. “There were two horses who went to the lead. I was able to sit behind, where she got very comfortable. When I asked her, she goes on and wins the race.
“She [Rice] is an excellent trainer,” Lezcano added. “All of her horses ran good today. The last winner, she is a pretty nice filly. I’m very happy to get the win.”
Rice said With the Angels is now likely to target the local $135,000 Correction, a six-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares on March 1.
"I was really happy with the way it went today,” Rice said. “I think she got the trip she likes. There were two speed in front of her and they were going plenty fast. She was close enough to be able to get to them, but I think that's the exact trip that she likes - sit behind the speed, stalk and close. She finishes up real well that way. We're going to go on to the Correction."
Live racing resumes Friday at the Big A with an eight-race card. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.
America's Day at the Races presents live coverage and analysis of every day of the Aqueduct Racetrack winter meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.
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