NYRA/Coglianese Photo

Wonder Stone looks to shine against the boys in the Bridgetown

by Najja Thompson

 The first turf sprint stakes of the Aqueduct Spring meet will take place on Saturday at the Big A, with a field of six set to compete in the third running of the $100,000 Bridgetown for 3-year-olds going six furlongs on the outer turf course.

Well-regarded for his success with both male and female sprinters on both dirt and turf, conditioner Wesley Ward entered the field's lone filly in Don Alberto Stable's Wonder Stone.

A homebred daughter of Super Saver, Wonder Stone impressively won her debut by 3 ¼ lengths last April at Keenland on the dirt. She then entered the Astoria at Belmont Park, running fifth after being bumped at the start and engaging in an early speed duel on June 7.

Wonder Again cruised to a 1 ¼ length victory in her 2019 debut over the synthetic at Turfway Park against optional claiming company.

"She's a big, beautiful filly," said Ward. "When we first ran her at Keeneland, she really ran a great race, and that's what made us enter her in the Astoria. She got caught up in a speed duel and then exited that race with some minor issues that just required her some time off to get better.

"Starting her campaign this year, we initially were looking for a race at Keeneland," continued Ward. "Eventually, we were lucky enough to fly her out to Turfway, where she ran a real big Ragozin sheet number. She's doing well, so we like her chances against the boys."

Wonder Stone will make her turf debut from post 2 with Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Linda Rice, fresh off her winter meet training title, will saddle Alpha Delta Stable's homebred Mount Travers.

The Speightstown colt has two wins from five career starts. Since joining Rice's barn last November, he has made two starts for Rice, winning an optional claiming race on December 15 at Laurel and most recently finishing fifth in the Miracle Wood on February 16. 

Scratched from last Saturday's Grade 3 Bay Shore, Rice said she is anxious to see what Mount Travers can do on the turf.

"We've been shopping for the right spot for him," said Rice. "Given that he's a Speightstown, I believe there's a chance he would do well on grass. I'm hoping that it's not too boggy of a turf course."

Mount Travers will depart from post 4 with Junior Alvarado aboard.

Skole will ship up from Fair Hill to make his New York debut for trainer Arnaud Delacour and Green Lantern Stables

Bred by his owners, the Oasis Dream gelding debuted on October 7 at Laurel Park finishing seventh in a turf route and rebounded to break his maiden sprinting five furlongs on December 22 on the Gulfstream Park green. He followed up that victory with another sprint score, taking an off-the-turf optional claiming race last out on March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs.

"He's doing really well," said Delacour. "Initially, we tried him long on the grass where he eventually ran out of steam. In his last two starts sprinting he's been effective, so we entered in this stake where we think he fits and will be competitive."

Skole will leave from post 3 with Daniel Centeno in the irons.

Rounding out the field is Skychief for trainer Mike Maker and owner Three Diamonds Farm; Regally Irish for owner Isabelle de Tomaso and trainer Graham Motion; and Majid for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and Zayat Stables.  

The Bridgetown will go as Race 3 on Saturday's 9-race card which also features the Top Flight Invitational as Race 8. First post is 1:30 p.m. ET.