Stonesintheroad stepping up

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York-bred Stonesintheroad will put her undefeated record on the line in Saturday’s $100,000 Cicada Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct where she will face open company for the first time.

Stonesintheroad, a daughter of Bustin Stones trained by Jeremiah Englehart, has won her first three starts by a combined 14 lengths. All three of her races have been against New Yorkbreds, including the Franklin Square Stakes on Feb. 23.

Englehart thought about waiting for the $200,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Park Avenue division in April, but said Stonesintheroad is doing too well to wait another month to run.

“With every race she’s gotten a little better,” Englehart said Thursday. “Our options were this race and the Stallion race, but she’s just doing so well we felt we might as well take advantage of it while you’ve got it.”

Stonesintheroad has good natural speed and figures to be forwardly placed breaking from post 2 under Rajiv Maragh on Saturday. The question is how she will handle other pace-pressing types, including Miss Imperial.

“We’ve had her behind horses taking dirt in the morning before,” Englehart said. “She’s the type of horse, she likes to run. I imagine she’s going to get out there and do her thing. If she gets off good, someone’s going to have to go pretty fast to be in front of us.”

Miss Imperial was part of a fast early pace in the Ruthless Stakes going seven furlongs Jan. 27. She could not match strides in the final furlong with Ujjayi, who beat Miss Imperial by 1 3/4 lengths.

Trainer Jason Servis believes the cutback to six furlongs – a distance at which Miss Imperial is 2 for 2 – will benefit Miss Imperial, but he will leave how to ride the filly up to leading jockey Manny Franco.

“I don’t think she’ll have a problem rating,” Servis said. “If she breaks good, he can do what he wants.”

Forgotten Hero may be the forgotten horse by the bettors. After she won her first two starts, Forgotten Hero finished last as the favorite in the Franklin Square. Trainer John Toscano Jr. said his filly got hit in the head soon after the start of that race.

“Her eye was closed for four or five days after the race,” Toscano said.

Fangirl, Gracetown, Workaholic, Guacamole, and Two Dozen Roses complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Stonesintheroad, by Bustin Stones Last 3 Beyers: 78-75-74

◗ Unbeaten in three starts, all over Aqueduct’s main track.

◗ Faces open company for the first time and the likelihood of an early pace duel.

Miss Imperial, by Maclean’s Music Last 3 Beyers: 77-75-68

◗ Outside post may be an edge as Franco can see how the race develops inside of him.

◗ The Franco-Servis team has a record of 4-4-0 from 10 starts at this meet.

Forgotten Hero, by Mission Impazible Last 3 Beyers: 48-73-71

◗ First two victories were solid enough to give her another chance after finishing last in the Franklin Square.