AQUEDUCT English Soul a filly in demand

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Ray Handal knew he had a top contender for Thursday’s $100,000 East View Stakes when he started fielding calls from the agents of several top jockeys who were inquiring if the mount on English Soul was open.

“Five jockey agents called when the [nominations] came out asking, ‘Are you good in the East View?’ Handal said. “I know I’m live.”

Indeed, English Soul, on paper at least, looks very live in the East View, a one-turn mile race restricted to New Yorkbred juvenile fillies. The East View is the featured event on Thursday’s eight-race card as racing resumes at Aqueduct following a four-day holiday break.

English Soul is coming off a seven-length victory in a firstlevel New York-bred allowance race run over a sloppy track here on Nov. 22. It was her second win in as many starts over a sealed, sloppy surface.

The forecast for Thursday calls for dry, frigid conditions, creating the likelihood of a fast surface for the East View.

“I don’t really care,” said Handal, a former Tony Dutrow assistant who went out on his own late in 2014. “She’s one of those horses she gives you supreme confidence because she’s just so talented. That last race, she was just in third gear.”

In her last race, English Soul cruised to a front-running victory, beating two of the rivals she faces here on Thursday – Purely Lucky and Miss Jen.

When English Soul won her maiden on Oct. 9, she defeated Southern Gal by 14 1/4 lengths. Southern Gal came back to win her next start and is back in this field.

Completing the field are Cryinthemoonlight, Salty Smile, Cause We Are Loyal, Miss Mystique, and Rachel’s New Moon.

KEY CONTENDERS

English Soul, by English Channel Last 3 Beyers: 72-62-63

◗ Despite her two victories having come in front-running fashion, Handal believes English Soul could sit off horses if need be. Cryinthemoonlight, a front-running winner last out and drawn on the rail in this spot, figures to be a pace presence. Manny Franco rides English Soul for a second straight time on Thursday.

“She just does it all so naturally, but I think she can be rated,” Handal said. “We’ll just let Manny let her do her thing.” Purely Lucky, by Lookin At Lucky Last 3 Beyers: 61-70-60

◗ She got bumped out of the gate and perhaps lost early position when finishing second behind English Soul in the Nov. 22 allowance, this filly’s first start on dirt.

“We would like to see her on a fast track,” trainer Brad Cox said. “Obviously, if it’s wet we don’t think she minds it. But a fast dirt track and hopefully a cleaner trip, hopefully she can turn the tables on that filly.”

Miss Jen, by Mission Impazible Beyers: 57-47

◗ She was up close early, dropped back to last, made big middle move, and flattened out when third behind English Soul and Purely Lucky in the Nov. 22 allowance race.

◗ Trainer Jim Ryerson has won with four of his last 12 starters at this meet.