Ingrid looks ready to fire fresh

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Ingrid lived up to her backing as the 9-5 favorite when she rolled to a six-length victory in her career debut against fellow New York-bred juvenile fillies last summer at Saratoga.

But before her connections could map out a plan for the remainder of her campaign, Ingrid was sidelined with what trainer Mike Hushion said was “a severe foot issue.”

With that problem now behind her, Ingrid begins her 3-year-old campaign Sunday in a first-level allowance for New York-bred fillies going six furlongs. The $57,000 race is the feature on closing day of Aqueduct’s inner-track season. Racing moves to the main track next Friday for a 17-day meet through April 23.

Ingrid, a daughter of Gemologist and a half-sister to the Grade 1 winner Sean Avery, roared out of the gate at Saratoga, quickly opening up a three-length lead while running a quartermile in 21.86 seconds. She was never headed, and jockey Chris DeCarlo took out his whip but never used it as Ingrid covered 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.20.

“She had shown she was very fast,” Hushion said.

Ingrid returned to the work tab Feb. 5 and shows seven works for her return. The last two moves were bullet halfmiles over the Belmont Park training track.

“When she steps on it, she’s gone,” Hushion said.

Ingrid, to be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., likely will have to deal with a wet surface as rain was forecast to begin Saturday night.

Timely Tradition, a daughter of First Defence, won a maiden $40,000 claimer by 13 1/2 lengths in the mud over the inner track Dec. 7 for trainer Christophe Clement. She has returned to New York after spending the winter in south Florida.

RACE 3 KEY CONTENDER

Ingrid, by Gemologist Beyer: 74

◗ If the last two works are any indication, she’s ready Get the latest news from Aqueduct at live.drf.com

to pick up where she left off after winning her debut by six lengths last August at Saratoga, a race that did produce three next-out winners.

“She’s working very well,” said Hushion, whose filly has worked two bullet half-miles in 48.40 seconds. “I’m always looking for 50 [seconds].”

FORMULATOR FACT: Over the last five years, Hushion is 4 for 26 with a $1.58 return on investment in dirt sprints off a layoff of 180 days or longer.