OZONE PARK, NY – Trainer Chad Brown’s French-bred filly Rymska extended her stakes win streak to three after taking Thursday’s $150,000 Winter Memories Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Settling to the rear after breaking from post 9 under Irad Ortiz, Jr., Rymska sat comfortably while Lucky Long set fractions of :24.69, :50.97, and 1:15.99. Fanning out wide off of the far turn, Rymska steadily closed on the leaders, edging away in the final furlong to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:45.48 for the 1 1/16-mile turf event.
“I just followed instructions,” said Ortiz, Jr. “(Brown) told me to break out of there, get her comfortable, and save some ground and take it in the stretch. The track wasn’t too fast. She was there for me when I asked.”
Dancing Breeze momentarily held the lead at the top of the stretch after tracking the early pace but was unable to hold off the surging Rymska and settled for second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Thais, who nosed out Taperge for third. Lucky Long faded to fifth, with Well Humored, Party Boat, Heavenly Score, and Last Promise Kept completing the order of finish. I’m Betty G and Lift Up were scratched, while Bonita Bianca, Divine Miss Grey, and Land Mine were main-track-only entries.
The win increased Rymska’s career earnings to $359,394 with a career record of 8-5-1-1. Owned by a partnership between Alain Jathiere, Sheep Pond Partners, Thomas Coleman, and Elayne S. Herrick, the 3-year-old daughter of Le Havre now has a record of 3-1-0 in five American starts, all in stakes races.
Rymska returned $7.20 to win, $4.70 to place, and $3.10 to show. Dancing Breeze brought back $11.40 to place and $7.40 to show, while Thais paid $3.10 to show.
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