Among this week's rulings, trainer Lorenzo Ruiz was issued a combined 7-year suspension and charged a total of $95,000 in fines for three separate post-race positives for Diisopropylamine, a banned substance under HISA.

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) classifies Diisopropylamine as a vasodilator, which is a substance that dilates the blood vessels to allow blood to flow more freely through them. Diisopropylamine is also found in several everyday items like tobacco and beauty products, and hand sanitizer.

The three Ruiz-trained runners–Kant Beat the Rock, American Cat and Facts Matter–ran at Los Alamitos last June and July. American Cat and Facts Matter won their respective races, while Kant Beat the Rock finished second.

For these three positives, Ruiz was suspended a combined six years and charged a total of $90,000 in fines and arbitration costs.

Ruiz was also issued an additional year suspension and $5,000 fine for breaching his provisional suspension by continuing to work as an outrider at Los Alamitos.

Trainer Bernard Dunham was also suspended for 30-days and fined $2,500 after his trainee, Shanghai Superfly, tested positive for an alkalinizing agent (TCO2) when finishing fourth at Penn National on Dec. 8.

High total carbon dioxide (TCO2) levels could be an indication of bicarbonate loading–otherwise known as milkshaking–which can neutralize the buildup of lactic acid in muscles, thereby helping the horse's performance.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 04/05/2024
Licensee: Gustavo Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Flint Ridge on 3/1/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 04/04/2024
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Accumulated 7-year suspension, $95,000 fine
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine–a banned substance–in samples taken from Kant Beat the Rock, American Cat and Facts Matter who ran at Los Alamitos respectively on 7/4/23, 6/25/23 and 6/23/23. These were all possible violations of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. This was also a possible violation of Rule 3227–aggravating Circumstances (in connection with Rule 3212 ADRVs).

Resolution Date: 04/04/2024
Licensee: Mary Pattershall, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Shanghai Mike on 2/28/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 04/03/2024
Licensee: Adan Farias, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Misty Rain on 2/25/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 04/03/2024
Licensee: Michelle Nevin, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Betamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Everlys Girl on 2/19/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 04/03/2024
Licensee: Bernard Dunham, trainer
Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on 4/4/24; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221–Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)–on Shanghai Superfly, who finished fourth at Penn National on 12/8/2023. This was also a possible violation of Rule 3313–Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period.

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 03/05/2024
Licensee: Wendell Matt, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Dixon Tuff on 3/5/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/05/2024
Licensee: Wendell Matt, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Fire When Ready on 3/5/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/13/2024
Licensee: John Cortez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from It'sanybodysgame on 03/13/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 02/26/2024
Licensee: Candelario Villamar, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Olivia's Choice, who finished third at Turf Paradise on 02/26/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/02/2024
Licensee: Bill McLean, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Street Tiger, who finished fourth at Golden Gate on 3/2/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/14/2024
Licensee: Ruben Alvarado, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, One Smokin Moon. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 03/08/2024
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Grey Princess, who won at Gulfstream Park on 03/08/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 01/28/2024
Licensee: Philip Schoenthal, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Prodigy Doll, who won at Laurel Park on 1/28/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Marker.

Date: 02/09/2024
Licensee: Philip Schoenthal, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Determined Driver, who won at Laurel Park on 2/9/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Marker.

Date: 02/01/2024
Licensee: Andres Gonzalez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Lidocaine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Let There Be Peace, who won at Sunland Park on 02/01/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/21/2024
Licensee: Richard Mandella, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Ice Dancing. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Oaklawn Park
Joe Bealmear–violation date Apr. 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Joe Bealmear–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Martin Chuan–violation date Apr. 6; $250 fine and one-day suspension

Tampa Bay
Pablo Morales–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Carlos Rojas–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension

OTHER KEY RULINGS
The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/04/2024
Licensee: Neil Drysdale, trainer
Penalty: $2,500 fine
Violation: Program Training
Explainer: Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release with the California Horse Racing Board, Trainer Neil Drysdale, who was named as trainer in the official program for 'M Is For Magic (While still in the care of the previous trainer), in the fifth race at Del Mar Race Track on 11/11/23, is fined $2,500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1502 (Program Training Prohibited).

New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/04/2024
Licensee: Eric Cancel, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mr. Eric Cancel for having waived his right to an appeal is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days 4/14/24, 4/18/24, 4/192024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 8th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on 3/14/24.

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Last out Aqueduct maiden winner Society Man (Good Magic), off at boxcar odds of 106-1, was second. Another longshot Protective (Medaglia d'Oro), a maiden of two starts, was third at 38-1.

The race was marred by a spill in the stretch when the Uriah St Lewis owned/trained-longshot Deposition (Constitution) appeared to clip heels while racing in traffic inside the three-sixteenths marker and unseated jockey Dexter Haddock.

Dr. Sarah Hinchliffe, NYRA's Veterinary Department Director, reported that Deposition stood up under his own power and walked onto the equine ambulance and was transported to the Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists clinic for further evaluation. Haddock was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

The rail-drawn Resilience, off as the third choice at odds of 9-2, sat a dream trip beneath John Velazquez in third while racing with first-time blinkers through fractions of :23.45 and :47.49. He revved up three deep approaching the quarter pole, hit the front as they turned for home and kept on rolling down the stretch despite drifting late to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

Resilience, a maiden winner at fourth asking at Gulfstream Park Jan. 1, finished a respectable fourth in a key renewal of the GII Risen Star S. in the Fair Grounds slop Feb. 17. The winner that day 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) returned to impressively capture Saturday's GI Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. Risen Star third-place finisher Catching Freedom (Constitution) followed up with a win in the GII Louisiana Derby.

“He ran very well,” Mott said. “[Assistant trainer] Leana [Willaford] did a great job with him. It was a similar trip to what we were hoping for. The blinkers didn't hurt, did they.”

Resilience is campaigned in partnership by Thoroughbred consultant Ric Waldman, who oversaw the stallion career of the legendary Storm Cat, and Emily Bushnell, daughter of longtime owner/breeders Marty and Pam Wygod.

“We weren't confident, but hopeful,” Waldman said. “His race in the Risen Star was better than it appeared and he gave up a lot. Bill [Mott] taking him back to Payson Park and training him for these weeks, he had him just picture perfect for this race.”

Waldman continued, “He broke well and he was in great position as you'd want him to be. And John [Velazquez] just bided his time, stayed covered up, and when he saw an opening, he moved him out and the rest you saw yourself.

“It's our first Derby. I grew up in Louisville and I cut my teeth cutting school and going to Churchill Downs. It means a lot.”

Bushnell added, “We're just so excited. He showed up, and Bill has done such an amazing job with him. Johnny rode him perfectly, and we're just so happy. I feel so lucky to be part of this incredible horse. He has brought my family's breeding program full circle. My father's [Marty Wygod] dedication and love for the Thoroughbred industry has spanned multiple years and Resilience is the product of a broodmare line he has nurtured and it is so exciting to see him succeed at this level.”

Previously unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' and GIII Gotham S. winner Deterministic (Liam's Map), off as the 4-5 favorite, and the two-for-two second-choice Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso), both disappointed finishing eighth and seventh, respectively.

Pedigree Notes:

Resilience becomes the 71st graded winner for the all-conquering Into Mischief. He was represented by his 21st Grade I winner via Leslie's Rose in Friday's GI Ashland S. at Keeneland. Two-time winner Meadowsweet, a daughter of the Wygod family's MGISW Tranquility Lake (Rahy), is also represented by the 2-year-old colt Capitol Hill (Into Mischief) and an Into Mischief filly of 2024. Tranquility Lake is also the dam of MGISW After Market (Storm Cat) and GISW and GI Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Courageous Cat (Storm Cat).

Saturday, Aqueduct
WOOD MEMORIAL S. PRESENTED BY RESORTS WORLD CASINO-GII, $750,000, Aqueduct, 4-6, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:50.28, ft.
1–RESILIENCE, 123, c, 3, by Into Mischief
                1st Dam: Meadowsweet, by Smart Strike
                2nd Dam: Tranquility Lake, by Rahy
                3rd Dam: Winters' Love, by Danzig
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (KY); T-William I. Mott; J-John R. Velazquez. $400,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-1, $494,630. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Society Man, 123, g, 3, Good Magic–You Cheated, by Colonel John. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($85,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-West Paces Racing LLC, Danny Gargan and GMP Stables LLC; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Danny Gargan. $140,000.
3–Protective, 123, c, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Grace Hall, by Empire Maker. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($250,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable; B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $75,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1HF, 3 3/4. Odds: 4.50, 106.75, 38.00.
Also Ran: Lonesome Boy, Uncle Heavy, Elysian Meadows, Tuscan Sky, Deterministic, Evening News, Merit, Gettysburg Address, Deposition. Scratched: El Grande O.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

RESILIENCE, son of @spendthriftfarm's Into Mischief, wins the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by @ResortsWorldNYC, securing 100 @KentuckyDerby points! Incredible ride by jockey @ljlmvel for trainer Bill Mott! pic.twitter.com/ZLCoIJWB4K

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) April 6, 2024

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A career maiden through seven starts, the $100,000 Keeneland September grad could perhaps be forgiven for running behind the likes of MGSW Dreamfyre (Flameaway), champion Just F Y I (Justify) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and not once but twice to 'TDN Rising Star' Kinza (Carpe Diem). Five lengths behind in second to that runner last out in the GIII Santa Ysabel S. March. 9, trainer Val Brinkerhoff opted to ship Where's My Ring to Aqueduct after scratching his runner from last week's GII Fantasy S. at Oaklawn. Favored at 5-2 on the last day to earn qualifying points towards the first Friday in May, Where's My Ring broke with some speed from the inside gate but was quickly headed by Carmelina (Maximus Mischief) to her outside on the run into the first turn. Content to sit off that runner, the favorite was swarmed by a trio of runners and managed to hold third as the top five separated themselves from the second flight. Still glued to the fence around the far turn, Where's My Ring tipped outside of the dueling duo on the lead and ran them both down strongly, surging past 19-1 longshot Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach) to graduate with her ears pricked on the line.

“It's not about breaking the maiden, we wanted to be in the Oaks, that was our goal,” admitted winning owner Michael McMillan. “I just got into horse racing, I met Val and Kelly Brinkerhoff and I told them 'I'm not in this for little races, we are in it for the big races.' I told them it was going to be the Kentucky Oaks. Everyone was shocked that we came here, but our whole team figured out the best race for us. It was a huge team effort.”

“I'm ecstatic to get a chance like this,” added Brinkerhoff. “I come from the bush tracks in Utah and to get to do this is pretty awesome. It's his [Michael McMillan's] first horse and I've had one in the Breeders' Cup where we ran third [Restrainedvengence in the 2021 Dirt Mile], but this filly has a lot of potential. It's been a long time getting to here and she's getting better and better, so hopefully by the Oaks, we'll be even better.”

Pedigree Note:

Twirling Candy is now represented by his 48th stakes winner and 18th graded winner. The first foal from her dam, Where's My Ring is out of a half to SW Merlazza (Medaglia d'Oro) and MGSP Gold Standard (Medaglia d'Oro). She is also similarly related to Saturday's GIII Distaff S. winner Shidabhuti (Practical Joke) as third dam Crystal Current, a $3.1m FTKNOV broodmare in 2008, is a daughter of Shidabhuti's third dam MGSIW Dream Supreme. Mapit had her 2-year-old McKinzie colt bring $300,000 from Klaravich Stable at the 2023 FTSAUG sale and she reported another colt by McKinzie this spring.

WHERE'S MY RING…. Or lilies? She's headed to the Kentucky Oaks! @TheNYRA pic.twitter.com/S8BS2gNtyd

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 6, 2024

Saturday, Aqueduct
GAZELLE S.-GIII, $200,000, Aqueduct, 4-6, 3yo, f, 1 1/8m, 1:50.33, ft.
1–WHERE'S MY RING, 118, f, 3, by Twirling Candy
                1st Dam: Mapit, by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Mi Vida, by Distorted Humor
                3rd Dam: Crystal Current, by A.P. Indy
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($100,000
Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Michael McMillan; B-Don Alberto
Corporation (KY); T-Val Brinkerhoff; J-Jose Lezcano.
$110,000. Lifetime Record: 8-1-3-1, $202,620.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or
the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Regulatory Risk, 118, f, 3, Omaha Beach–
Walkwithapurpose, by Candy Ride (Arg). 1ST BLACK TYPE,
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($235,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP).
O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Upson Downs Farm & Louis W.
Wright (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $40,000.
3–Gin Gin, 120, f, 3, Hightail–Before You Know It, by Hard
Spun. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Calumet Farm;
T-Brad H. Cox. $24,000.
Margins: 4 1/4, 5 1/4, HF. Odds: 2.55, 19.20, 6.80.
Also Ran: Whocouldaskformo, Life Talk, Barbratina, Carmelina, Princess Vino, Munny Grab. Scratched: Six Pack Senorita.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Dornoch dug back gamely to defeat Sierra Leone in a heart-stopping renewal of the GII Remsen S. at a rain-soaked Aqueduct Dec. 2, then took care of business in a scratched-down GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Mar. 2. Sierra Leone, meanwhile, returned with an excellent come-from-behind victory over a sloppy surface at Fair Grounds in the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 17.

The Blue Grass field of 11 also includes the Brad Cox-trained duo of GIII Gotham S. Mar. 2 runner-up Just a Touch (Justify) and John Battaglia Memorial S. Mar. 2 winner Encino (Nyquist).

“Just at Touch is a very talented horse,” Cox said. “He's shown talent from day one. He was a little late to get to the races, but it was by design. (Dornoch and Sierra Leone) got to the races a little bit earlier, so obviously they have more seasoning. I think this horse is one of our better 3-year-olds. I'm excited against running against these colts. It's a Grade I with very talented horses. It looks to be one of the better Derby preps to date.”

A pair of unbeatens–'TDN Rising Star' Deterministic (Liam's Map) and Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso)–lead a field of 13 set for the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct.

Deterministic, an eye-catching debut winner going seven furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 12, showed no signs of rust resurfacing from the bench with an impressive victory in the slop over the aforementioned Just a Touch in the one-turn mile Gotham. Tuscan Sky makes his stakes debut after defeating the talented Nash (Medaglia d'Oro) in an optional claimer on the Risen Star program. Parx invader Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion) returns to the Big Apple after upsetting the GIII Withers S. over track and trip Feb. 3.

“The Gotham was a very good race and a good field over a wet track–he handled the whole thing well,” trainer Christophe Clement said of the Wood Memorial 7-5 morning-line favorite Deterministic. “It will be interesting to see him going two turns. We'll just go one step at a time. You never know until you try, but his style of racing and the way he trains makes you believe he should stay.”

A pair of last out graded winners–Imagination (Into Mischief) and Stronghold (Ghostzapper)–share top billing in the GI Santa Anita Derby. Imagination posted a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure for trainer Bob Baffert while gamely annexing the GII San Felipe S. Mar. 3. Stronghold, second in the GIII Bob Hope S. Nov. 19 and GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 16, broke through with a win in the GIII Sunland Park Derby Feb. 18. Both colts have finished no worse than second in five career starts.

The Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby and Wood Memorial all offer qualifying points to its top five finishers (100-50-25-15-10) toward the GI Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs has barred Baffert's trainees from participating in this year's Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks stemming in part from a well-documented medication positive found after Medina Spirit won the 2021 Derby.

There are also a pair of Kentucky Oaks preps on tap at Aqueduct at Santa Anita Saturday.

'TDN Rising Star' Kinza (Carpe Diem), winner of the GIII Las Virgenes S. Feb. 10 and GIII Santa Ysabel S. Mar. 9, will put her perfect record on the line for Baffert in the GII Santa Anita Oaks. The field of five also includes Kopion (Omaha Beach), who reported home second-best behind Kinza last time in the Las Virgenes.

Life Talk (Gun Runner) will look to get back on track in the GIII Gazelle S. at the Big A. The GII Demoiselle S. heroine was a disappointing sixth as the heavy favorite in Tampa's Suncoast S. Feb. 10. Maiden of seven starts Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy) makes the trip from Southern California for the Gazelle following a longshot second in the Santa Ysabel.

Saturday's graded stakes also include a fantastic renewal of the GI Resolute Racing Madison S. The field of eight is led by standouts Alva Starr (Lord Nelson), Red Carpet Ready (Oscar Performance) and Vahva (Gun Runner). Keeneland's stacked Blue Grass program also features the GII Appalachian S., GII Shakertown S. and GIII Commonwealth S., respectively.

Saturday's graded action is rounded out by the GII Carter H. and GIII Distaff S. at Aqueduct and the GIII Monrovia S. at Santa Anita.

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GI Toyota Blue Grass S. – In a race billed as a showdown between the re-opposing GII Remsen S. one-two Dornoch (Good Magic) and Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), don't look past likely third choice Just a Touch (Justify). The highly regarded bay ran to the hype with a powerful debut score for trainer Brad Cox over the promising $1.7-million KEESEP graduate Gun Party (Curlin) (he returned with another very good second-place finish Mar. 16) on debut sprinting in the Fair Grounds slop Jan. 27. He was well-backed at the windows again for his second career start and lost little in defeat finishing second as the favorite over another saturated surface in a deep renewal of the GIII Gotham S. Mar. 2. Just a Touch will finally get a chance to showcase his ability on a fast surface and has every right to take another step forward stretching out to two turns for the first time as well. He should be able to sit a perfect trip just off Dornoch and have the jump on the stretch-running Sierra Leone, who is the horse to beat off his impressive come-from-behind win in the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 17. Selection: #6 Just a Touch (7-2).

GII Wood Memorial S. – No knocks on the 7-5 morning-line favorite and impressive Gotham winner Deterministic (Liam's Map), but I prefer the fellow unbeaten Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso) here. Like the aforementioned Just a Touch, Tuscan Sky has raced only on wet, sealed tracks in his first two starts. The gray finished up like a real good thing after a bit of an interesting journey (led early, dropped back to third on the far turn and leveled off beautifully in stretch to win going away) sprinting on debut at the Big A Jan. 13. He backed up that effort with another fantastic performance–albeit in a three-horse field–with a two-length decision over sharp next-out Hot Springs S. winner Nash (Medaglia d'Oro) (good for a 95 Beyer) while making his two-turn debut on the Risen Star undercard. Tuscan Sky tuned up for this with a four-furlong bullet in :48 3/5 (1/20) for seven-time Wood Memorial-winning trainer Todd Pletcher at Palm Beach Downs Mar. 30. Tuscan Sky's young sire Vino Rosso won this same race in 2018. Selection: #9 Tuscan Sky (4-1).

GI Santa Anita Derby – It's difficult to make a case against Imagination (Into Mischief), who will be the much-deserved Santa Anita Derby favorite. The $1.05-million KEESEP yearling has run well in all five of his career starts and has taken a nice step forward in his last two. He gave highly regarded Bob Baffert-trained stablemate Maymun (Frosted) all he could handle while finishing second in an optional claimer Feb. 11, then dug in gamely to secure a career high in the GII San Felipe S. Mar. 3. Should be well-spotted beneath Frankie Dettori either on or just off the lead. Selection: #4 Imagination (8-5).

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Rice, who captured the recently concluded Aqueduct winter meet training title with 23 wins, won with all five of her starters on Thursday's program, while Lezcano won with five-of-six mounts. Three of the Rice-Lezcano scores came for owner Winning Move Stable.

Rice, who won a record-equaling 164 races on the NYRA circuit last year, was pleased to kick off the Aqueduct spring meet in style.

“I've had a few four-win days, a lot of three-win days, but not five in one day. It is pretty exciting,” Rice said. “The races went for me. Did I think we'd win five? No, not necessarily, but I knew we would have a good day.”

The quintet of scores kicked off in Race 2 as Winning Move Stable's Solib (American Pharoah) romped to victory in a seven-furlong claiming sprint for older New York-bred fillies and mares. The success continued in Race 4 as the Rice-owned Screaming Uncle (Bolt d'Oro) prevailed in a claiming sprint for 3-year-olds and upward.

Winning Move Stable would sweep Race 6 and Race 7 as New York-bred Cinderella's Cause (Congrats) won a one-turn mile claimer against open company older fillies and mares one race before graded stakes-winner Joey Freshwater (Jimmy Creed) ran off to an impressive score in an allowance optional-claiming tilt for older horses.

“I'll tell you Joey Freshwater ran a superb race. He really stepped up. It was a tough race and he really ran great,” said Rice of last year's GIII Bay Shore winner. “Joey Freshwater's race was pretty tough, a three-other-than in New York is always tough. Frankly I was thrilled with the way he ran, and it was just a dominant performance.”

The day concluded in Race 8 as Everything's Cricket Racing's New York homebred Freedsdale (Redesdale) made a winning debut with a prominent trip in a state-bred maiden special weight for sophomores.

“This 3-year-old in the last race had been training beautifully and I thought he would run great,” Rice said. “I wasn't sure it would be a win, but I was surprised he was such a long price.”

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The Big 3 Pick 3, which will be hosted by Aqueduct, will be offered with a $3 minimum and mandatory payout. The Big 3 Pick 3 will appear as a separate wager/track on wagering machines or online account: Big 3 Pick 3.

All three races are contested at nine furlongs and offer 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.

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Rice has now won the training title at six of the last seven NYRA meetings, along with year-end honors last year as the circuit's top trainer with a record-tying 164 wins. She also came out on top at last year's Big A winter meet with 37 wins.

“It's great,” said Rice. “Frankly, I love New York winter racing and it's a good place for my clients. They enjoy it, I enjoy it, and it's been a good winter. It's pretty surreal.”

Rice, 60, posted a record of 137-23-27-23 with $1,471,414 in earnings, good for a win rate of 16.79 percent and in-the-money rate of 53.28 percent.

Jockey Dylan Davis clinched his second Aqueduct winter meet riding title when posting 54 wins.

In all, Davis' mounts banked $2,699,061, with a win rate of 22.31 percent and in-the-money percentage of 50.41.

“I've won this title before and [it's] great to win it again,” said Davis. “My business has improved every year along with the quality of horses I'm riding.”

David Jacobson claimed his first owners' title at NYRA since capturing the 2017 Aqueduct inner track meet. The veteran owner and conditioner secured 18 wins at the meet, including four races on Closing Day.

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Highlighted by the $100,000 Biogio's Rose S., Saturday's eight-race card will move in its entirety to Sunday, while the original Sunday races will be carded as extras beginning Thursday, Mar 28. First post Sunday will be 1:20 p.m. EDT.

Aqueduct Racetrack will remain open for simulcasting on Saturday.

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Cutting back a furlong after finishing runner-up in the Feb. 17 Ruthless S., the bay was away from stall one without incident, but was beaten for speed by Reconcile (War Front). Manny Franco elected to take a tug on Ghalia Princess, easing her back and into the two path to do the chasing through an opening quarter in :22.15. Content to race with that target ahead of her rounding the turn, Ghalia Princess began to pour on the pressure into the stretch, claimed the front-runner for good with about a furlong and a half to travel and was punched out hands and heels to take it by six lengths in a sharp clocking.

“They broke good and I thought it was the right call to let [Reconcile] go on,” said Dustin Dugas, assistant to trainer Brad Cox. “I thought she [Ghalia Princess] ran on and let her big stride kind of unfold the way it does and [didn't] press her too much. It kind of went the way we thought. I didn't think she'd be quite as quick to keep up with these guys, but she could if she was pressed. I think Manny [Franco] made the right call by just letting the race unfold the way it did.”

Oussama Aboughazale's International Equities Holdings acquired the winner's dam for $600,000 as a weanling at the 2014 Keeneland November sale and she became a three-time winner at the races, including the 2017 Sunland Park Oaks. Ghalia is a daughter of Grade III winner Verdana Bold–also the dam of the multiple stakes-placed Copperplate (Curlin)–and is represented by a yearling colt by Constitution. She visited Not This Time for her most recent covering.

CICADA S., $93,000, Aqueduct, 3-16, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:09.85, ft.
1–GHALIA PRINCESS, 118, f, 3, by American Pharoah
                1st Dam: Ghalia (SW, $168,800), by Medaglia d'Oro
                2nd Dam: Verdana Bold, by Rahy
                3rd Dam: True Legacy (GB), by A.P. Indy
($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN.
O-Sumaya U.S. Stable; B-International Equities Holding, Inc.
(KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Manuel Franco. $55,000. Lifetime
Record: 3-2-1-0, $111,000.
2–Reconcile, 118, f, 3, War Front–Welcoming, by Tapit.
O/B-Robert S. Evans (KY); T-Adam Rice. $20,000.
3–Anna's Wish, 118, f, 3, Dialed In–I'm Cozy, by Grand Slam.
($14,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $45,000 RNA 2yo '23 OBSMAR).
1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Triple M Racing Stable LLC; B-Pope, Marc,
& Pope McLean Jr. (KY); T-George Weaver. $12,000.
Margins: 6, 6 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.40, 5.50, 10.90.
Also Ran: Miss Harriett. Scratched: Value Area.

Ghalia Princess (AMERICAN PHAROAH) backs favoritism to take the Cicada Stakes with a dominant performance at Aqueduct for @bradcoxracing and Sumaya Farm.
Congratulations to connections!#HomeOfChampions#CoolmoreSires https://t.co/D6FDAaSZu3

— Coolmore America (@coolmoreamerica) March 16, 2024

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