It finally happened on February 28 when the “L” and “N” in LNJ Foxwoods were watching their filly Paradise romp by 3 3/4 lengths in the $194,000 Busher Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at the Big A.
“We finally won here,” said Larry Roth. “I changed locations. I watched it upstairs with my wife, so maybe that was it. But after five or six years, I finally found my place.”
Unfortunately, the Roths can only take advantage of that spot through June 28 when Aqueduct closes, but after Saturday’s race there is hope to see Paradise in much more prominent races.
Paradise, owned by the Roths’ daughter, Jaime (the J in LNJ Foxwoods), and NK Racing, put itself on the cusp of earning a spot in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1) when Busher’s victory gave her 37.5 qualifying points for a start in the famed 1 1/8 mile test for 3-year-old fillies. The Busher was originally worth 50 points to the winner, but that total was reduced by 25% due to a five-horse field.
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A solid performance in the final round of Kentucky Oaks preparations should earn a spot in that field for the Brad Cox-trained filly. But as much as Larry Roth would love to see the daughter Rifle runner in the starting gate on May 1, he is currently unsure whether the extra distance will suit her, even after Saturday’s convincing victory on a one-turn mile.
“We’re not sure she’ll last that long,” he said of the Kentucky Oaks. ‘We are involved today. We’ll try to see if she can last longer and then we’ll think about the Oaks.’
Paradise, the 6-5 favorite ($4.72), also entered Saturday’s Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park where she took a maiden win at the Hallandale Beach, Florida circuit in her second start.
Paradise was bred in Kentucky by Ciaglia Racing, HNDEH and Domenic Savides from the multiple Class 1 placed Munnings mare Venetian harbor . She was purchased for $700,000 from the Hill ‘n’ Dale consignment in Xalapa during Fasig-Tipton’s The Saratoga Sale in 2024.
Paradise, ridden by Manny Franco, is the first foal of Class 2 winner Venetian Harbor, who also has a 2-year-old Curl colt that sold for $1.05 million at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and a In mischief yearling colt.
Nycon (Nyquist ) came second by a neck Interstate love song (Bolt d’Oro ).
The final time for the mile on a well-rated track was 1:38.53.
Video: Busher S. (BT)
Bold Journey has the upper hand in Tom Fool
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s penchant for keeping his horses in top form, even at an advanced racing age, was on display as a 7-year-old in the $169,750 Tom Fool Stakes (G3). Daring journey overcome by a nose in the last stride.
In a career spanning 34 races, it was the first stakes victory for the New York-bred Hard spun gelding since the 2023 Fall Highweight Handicap (G3). Bold Journey ($23.34), ridden by Eric Cancel, is owned by Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber and has won eight times and earned $997,253.
Bold Journey wins the Tom Fool at Aqueduct
Madness at the full moon (In mischief ) came second, three-quarters of a length ahead of the 2-5 favourite One Nine Hundred (Dialed in ).
The finishing time for the 6 furlongs was 1:10.70.
Bold Journey was bred by Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding from the Super saver mare Polly Freeze.
Video: Tom Fool S. (G3)
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