NYRA Preview: Busher Invitational Stakes

Race 9: Busher Invitational Stakes: 3-year-old fillies going 1 mile (8 furlongs) on the dirt

#5 Lake Avenue is one of the most talented fillies in the country and she will have the opportunity to prove that here today. She dominated the field in her last effort, in the Grade II Demoiselle at the end of 2019. She beat some of her competition today in, Maedean and Water White. She proved that the mile distance is not a problem for her going gate-to-wire. The only slight concern from a bettor’s perspective would be that she hasn’t run in three months. Her best is good enough to beat the rest of this group with ease. It will be interesting if the speed to her outside, Persisto and Inveterate choose to go with Lake Avenue. Their only chance to win is to go to the front, but they don’t possess the speed to hold off the rest of this group. That leaves Maedean who I think has the best chance to knock off the even-money favorite. With that being said, Luis Saez needs quick fractions on top to close into Lake Avenue’s lead. She finished a distant second when these two did battle but this race should be much quicker. Lake Avenue went to the half in :50.76 which certainly can’t happen again if Maedean has a chance to win. She isn’t a deep closer, but she will have to come from far back to claim victory and claim 50 points looking toward the Kentucky Oaks. My longshot to keep an eye on is Mo City for Michael Stidham. Stidham won with his only Aqueduct runner, Saguaro Road, on January 20. Primarily based at Fair Grounds and Tampa Bay Downs, Stidham means business when he brings one of his 3-year-olds to the NYRA circuit. Stidham got the best of Bill Mott on that day in the Interborough Stakes, but he figures to have a much tougher task this time around in the Busher Invitational Stakes.

Ricky’s Picks: 5-4-1-6