| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2014
Contact: Najja Thompson
nthompson@nyrainc.com
(718) 659 - 2244
Quick turnaround for Willet in Garland of Roses
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Coming off just 8 days rest, Willet will once again attempt to win her first stakes race of 2014 in the $100,000 Garland of Roses for fillies & mares 3-years-old and up on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.
In six starts this year, Willet's lone win came in a New York-bred allowance race on July 30 at Saratoga Race Course, but she has faced stiff competition all year, including five stakes appearances with four in-the-money finishes. Most recently, the 6-year-old mare finished seventh in the Grade 2, $300,000 Go For Wand on November 28 traveling wide on the Aqueduct main track most of the way.
"She is doing well and was doing well going into the Go For Wand," said James Iselin, Willet's owner. "She's run well off short rest before, so that's not really a concern for us. This is a big race and we'll decide on what we do with her next year with how she runs in this spot." Angel Arroyo, who rode Willet to her last stakes victory in the $100,000 Touch of Love Stakes in 2013 at Aqueduct, has been giving the riding assignment.
"We feel comfortable with Angel, knowing he has a rapport with the horse and has won with her before," said Iselin. Willet is the 5-2 morning-line favorite and drew post position 6.
Barry K. Schwartz's Bridgehampton, who began her 2014 campaign winning an allowance race on March 23 at Aqueduct, returns to the Big A following four consecutive stakes starts herself. Most recently, she placed sixth in the Grade 2, $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap on September 20 at Belmont Park.
Jose Ortiz will be aboard the Michael Hushion-trained filly from post position 1. She is 7-2 on the morning line.
The Michael Aro-trained Winning Image ships in from Parx for owner Martin Scafidi. The 7-year-old mare is the oldest entrant in the field but is coming off a half-length win in her last start the Cornucopia Stakes on October 11 at Parx with a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.
Anthony Black will be in the irons for the mare, who is 7-2 on the morning line from post position 4.
Rounding out the field are Jonata, Joya Real, Laguna Girl, Frivolity, Expression, and Sounds of the City.
The field for the $100,000 Garland of Roses:
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