Clothes Fall Off ready to stalk

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – A year ago, Clothes Fall Off was beaten 1 3/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park and came back in her next start to win the Correction Stakes at Aqueduct. A month ago, Clothes Fall Off was beaten 1 3/4 lengths in the Barbara Fritchie, and on Saturday, she will try to repeat the pattern with her second straight victory in the Correction Stakes at Aqueduct.

Clothes Fall Off was among seven fillies and mares entered in the Correction, a six-furlong race that goes as race 8 on a nine-race card that begins at 1:20 p.m. Eastern.

Clothes Fall Off will be making her third start off an extended layoff. In the $100,000 Interborough on Jan. 22, she was fractious in the gate, broke last, rushed up into contention, and faded to fifth behind stablemate Takrees. In the Barbara Fritchie, Clothes Fall Off seemed to flatten out in the stretch, finishing behind High Ridge Road and By the Moon.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was happy enough with the performance and believes it’s a step in the right direction.

Clothes Fall Off, who breaks from post 3 under Rajiv Maragh, should get a stalking trip behind the speed horses Hot City Girl, Disco Chick, and Ultimate Holiday.

“Lot of pace, I think it’ll set up well for us,” McLaughlin said. “She won’t be too far away. Rajiv rode her last time and liked her. It’s a good situation.”

Perhaps another plus is the potential for a wet track. Clothes Fall Off is 2 for 3 with a neck loss over wet surfaces.

Parx-based Disco Chick will be making her third trip to New York this winter. Her previous two starts were runner-up finishes behind Paulassilverlining in the Garland of Roses in December and Takrees in the Interborough.

Kalabaka, a winner of three of her last four, Splendid Gold, and Jet Majesty complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Clothes Fall Off, by Daaher Last 3 Beyers: 89-75-79

◗ Seeks her first win since taking last year’s Correction by 1 1/2 lengths over Paulassilverlining.

◗ Should get a solid pace in which to close and has run well over the inner track and over wet surfaces in the past.

Disco Chick, by Jump Start Last 3 Beyers: 88-80-86

◗ Despite having lost nine straight races, she has finished second or third in seven of those starts.

◗ Likely will try to wire the field under Angel Arroyo, who becomes this mare’s fifth straight different rider.

Kalabaka, by Trappe Shot Last 3 Beyers: 86-84-85

◗ Has won two straight from off the pace after finishing second in eight of her first 12 starts.

◗ Breaks from the rail for the fourth straight race and the fifth time in six starts.

Hot City Girl, by City Zip Last 3 Beyers: 78-85-70

◗ Comes off a win against New York-bred competition in the Broadway but still seems a step or two below her best.