OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Graded stakes winner Paulassilverlining headlines the final open company stakes race of Aqueduct Racetrack's Spring meet, Sunday's $100,000 Belle Harbor for 3-year-old fillies at 6 ½ furlongs.
Closing Day at Aqueduct will also include two New York Stallion Series races, the Park Avenue for fillies and the Times Square, both worth $100,000 at 6 ½ furlongs. Racing will resume on Wednesday at Belmont Park, with the $100,000 Elusive Quality for older turf runners leading a plethora of stakes races scheduled for opening week.
Trained by Michelle Nevin, Paulassilverlining enters the Belle Harbor off a second-place finish behind Kentucky Oaks hopeful Condo Commando in the 1 1/16-mile Busher on February 21 at the Big A. As a 2-year-old, the daughter of Ghostzapper won the Grade 2 Matron at Belmont Park, and finished second in the Grade 3 Tempted before taking the Ruthless in her 3-year-old debut on January 4.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who has won eight of 17 races at the stand, will saddle Perchance, who is coming off a disappointing fifth-place in the Any Limit at Gulfstream Park. Danzatrice, Lakeside Sunset, Lindisfarne and Irish Jasper round out the field.
In the NYSS Times Square, Patricia Generazio's homebred Disco Partner leads the way as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. The son of Disco Rico is one for two in his young career, most recently finishing second to Chasing Bubbles in the NYSS Great White Way.
The Park Avenue will feature The Lewis Dinner, who is seeking her fourth consecutive victory after winning the NYSS Fifth Avenue and the Key Cents at Aqueduct in her last two races. The Rudy Rodriguez-trained filly will square off with Freudie Anne, who won the East View by 9 ¾ lengths last fall before being pulled up in the Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra on February 21 at the Fair Grounds.
With the meet winding to a close, Angel Cruz has maintained a narrow lead in the jockey standings after getting off to a torrid start. Manuel Franco, his closest pursuer, and Jose and Irad Ortiz are in with a shot.
In the trainer standings, David Jacobson is primed to win his third consecutive meet title on the NYRA circuit. McLaughlin and Linda Rice sit second and third, respectively.
