Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Quezon the one to beat in La Verdad
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though the field has changed some for Friday’s $100,000 La Verdad Stakes, the underlying handicapping theme remains the same: Quezon is the horse to beat in the seven-furlong race for New York-bred fillies and mares at Aqueduct.
The La Verdad, named for the Eclipse champion female sprinter of 2015, was originally scheduled for last Saturday, but had to be rescheduled when that day’s card was canceled due to extreme cold, which followed a snowstorm. Friday, the temperatures could reach the low 50s and rain will be the precipitation of choice from Mother Nature.
Robert Ribaudo, the trainer of Quezon, won’t mind a wet track for his 6-year-old mare, who has a 4-1-1 record from 7 starts over such a surface. In fact, Ribaudo felt that had racing been conducted last Saturday, the Aqueduct main track would have been dry and beach-like.
“That track would not have suited her, whereas we know she likes a wet track,” Ribaudo said.
When originally drawn, Quezon had the outside post in a six-horse field that had no real speed. Friday, Quezon is drawn in post 6 in a seven-horse field that appears to have picked up some speed in the presence of Palladian Bridge, who was not previously entered. She’s All Ready is also new to the lineup, while Frosty Margarita was not entered back.
Quezon doesn’t figure to be too far off the pace. She was within two lengths of a duel between Picco Uno and Absatootly in the Garland of Roses, a race Quezon won by threequarters of a length here on Dec. 9.
Quezon and Absatootly will be meeting for the fifth straight time. In October, Absatootly defeated Quezon by a halflength in the Iroquois going 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont. That day, Absatootly came from last in the field of five to run down Quezon. In the Garland of Roses, Absatootly was surprisingly part of the pace after breaking sharply under Joe Bravo.
Trainer Charlton Baker said he’s not sure what type of style Absatootly will employ Friday when she will break from post 2 under Rafael Hernandez.
“She looks like the main speed,” Baker said. “It’s going to be a rider decision.”
Holiday Disguise makes her return to the races in the La Verdad. She has not raced since winning the Bouwerie Stakes at Belmont in May, owing to an ankle injury. She is owned by Sheila Rosenblum and trained by Linda Rice, the same connections that campaigned La Verdad.
KEY CONTENDERS
Quezon, by Tiz Wonderful Last 3 Beyers: 92-97-93
◗ Her last three races have all been solid, and have all come since Ribaudo added blinkers to her equipment.
“Blinkers certainly made some change mentally and brought her numbers back close to where they were,” Ribaudo said.
Absatootly, by Mineshaft Last 3 Beyers: 85-98-80
◗ She was compromised when hooked in a speed duel in the Garland of Roses when she finished third behind Quezon.
◗ Could play out as the primary speed breaking from post 2 on Friday.
◗ Has a 3-2-2 record from 8 starts over a wet track.