Midnight Disguise an unmistakable Busanda winner

Jan 25, 2018 Jennifer Caldwell/Brisnet.com

Midnight Disguise drew off in the stretch of Thursday’s $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct to earn her first stakes victory and 10 points toward a starting berth in the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

With jockey Trevor McCarthy aboard, the large filly was wide while running in the rear of the field early. She sailed past all rivals nearing the final turn and easily collared pacesetter Oldfashioned Style before pulling away to be 4 1/4 lengths clear on the wire.

Due to a timer malfunction, the race was hand timed and Midnight Disguise credited with finishing 1 1/8 miles, the same distance at the Kentucky Oaks, in 1:55.81 over the fast main track. She paid $7.30 as the 5-2 second choice.

The Midnight Lute filly was awarded the majority of the 17 points up for grabs in the Busanda. The contest is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races and gave out 10-4-2-1 points to the respective top four finishers.

Oldfashioned Style received four points for finishing second, while Hail took home two points and Wealth Effect garnered one point.

Midnight Disguise is now 4-3-1-0, $137,600 in hear career, which only began in mid-December. After breaking her maiden and taking an allowance within a week, the dark bay lass returned three weeks later on January 14 to run second while making her stakes and sophomore bow in the East View Stakes.

Linda Rice trains the homebred Midnight Disguise for Drs. William B. Wilmot and Joan M. Taylor.

BUSANDA QUOTES

Trevor McCarthy, jockey Midnight Disguise, winner

'Our plan was to break and sit back. She is a big filly. She has a very big stride, so I didn't want to get into too much trouble, kind of let her sit outside and let her make her move (and) let her tell me when she wanted to get going.

'It seemed like at the three-eighths pole I had so much horse, she wanted to hang there a little bit. She is still a little immature, but definitely a nice filly. (She) has a bright future in front of her.'

Linda Rice, trainer Midnight Disguise, winner

'She's just continued to improve and gain fitness and seasoning. The last time, she ran a little bit green on the outside and in the stretch switching leads. But we were delighted today with how she ran the mile and an eighth and two turns. It really opens up a lot of doors. We looked at the Ruthless (for three-year-old fillies at seven furlongs on January 28) and looked at this race and we felt there was a lot more to gain in this race.

'The distance, whether it's two turns or one turn, will be key. We're just trying to find what makes the most sense and gives her the most opportunity and let her learn and improve and not try and set the bar too high for her.'