Smile Big enters in top form

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Smile Big has proved to be a useful claim for owner Vincent Scuderi and trainer Rudy Rodriguez, winning three races from 11 starts and earning $171,642 after being taken for $40,000 in December 2016.

Her most impressive performance may have been her last, when after surrendering the lead in upper stretch to Felini, she came back on again along the rail to beat that one by a nose in a second-level optional $62,500 claimer.

On Sunday, Smile Big returns to the level at which she was claimed when she faces four rivals in a first-level/optional $40,000 claiming race going a mile that serves as the feature on Sunday’s nine-race card at Aqueduct.

In that Jan. 26 race, Smile Big took pressure from Felini early before surrendering the lead in upper stretch. Under Luis Reyes, then a five-pound apprentice, Smile Big fought back along the inside and got her nose on the wire first. It was her fourth win from 22 career starts.

All three of Smile Big’s victories for these connections came when she was able to secure the early lead.

Reyes is back aboard on Sunday, but he is no longer an apprentice. Smile Big carries 123 pounds, the same as three of her rivals and three more than Total Control.

Total Control and Summer Punch finished first and second in a maiden special weight race going seven furlongs here on Jan. 21. Total Control came back to run second in a first-level allowance in the mud here on Feb. 23, her fifth runner-up finish in nine lifetime starts. Summer Punch came out of the Jan. 21 race to win her maiden by 1 1/4 lengths on Feb. 19.

She’s So Fine is a six-time winner, but she’s been off form since returning from a lengthy layoff in December.

Forever Liesl returns from a September layoff for trainer Michelle Nevin.

KEY CONTENDERS

Smile Big, by Big Drama Last 3 Beyers: 82-68-56

◗ Takes a slight drop in class after winning when not in for the tag against tougher on Jan. 26.

◗ May try to wire this field after breaking from the outside post. Forever Liesl, by Mineshaft Last 3 Beyers: 74-61-78

◗ Shows a solid work tab for her first start since September, when she finished third with this company going 6 1/2 furlongs.

◗ Nevin said she was hoping to run Forever Liesl 6 1/2 furlongs in her first start off the six-month layoff “because I was a little worried that she might be a little bit short, but it wouldn’t go, so I don’t have much choice.”

◗ Leading jockey Manny Franco has the call.

Total Control, by Bellamy Road Last 3 Beyers: 77-70-76

◗ Has a win and four seconds from her five starts for trainer Brian Lynch.

◗ Breaking from the rail under Paco Lopez, she figures to be on or near the lead.