Fern Circle Stable’s Schilling, who has previously found success in stakes races early at Aqueduct Racecourse, will shorten his expected racing distance from nine furlongs to seven furlongs in the upcoming $135,000 Ruthless Stakes for sophomore fillies on Saturday.
Under the guidance of trainer Ken McPeak, Schilling secured a notable victory at Big A’s Listed Tempted Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on November 6. With returning jockey Chris Elliott aboard, he controlled a demanding pace with splits of 23.18 and 47.30 seconds, resisting pressure to ultimately pull away to win by four lengths with a time of 1:38.45, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 65. McPeak shared that Schilling has been progressing steadily in New York, where assistant trainer Jimmy Jerkens—himself a multiple Grade 1-winning trainer—manages daily workouts.
“We usually take horses like her to southern tracks, but she’s adapted well under Jimmy’s routine here in New York,” McPeak said. “This race seems to fit her well, so it made sense to keep her local.”
Schilling last appeared in the G2 Demoiselle Stakes on December 6, her first challenge against graded competition over nine furlongs. Despite being bumped at the start and initially leading under Elliott, she faded in the stretch, finishing fourth, over 12 lengths behind winner Zanny. A small leg injury kept her out of the January 3 Busanda Stakes mile race, though the cut, which became inflamed, was expected to heal fully, and McPeak is confident that the seven-furlong distance in the Ruthless will suit her.
Schilling’s early career highlights include a strong wire-to-wire victory at this same Aqueduct track and distance in October, posting a career-best Beyer of 76, and she was purchased for $105,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Elliott will again ride from post four.
Kentucky-based Interstate Love Song, owned by Titletown Racing Stable and ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., enters the stakes off a robust second-place finish and has been training under Tom Morley since December 26. This daughter of Bort d’Oro dominated early pace in a six-and-a-half-furlong sprint to win by five lengths with a time of 1:19.87, earning a 69 Beyer and showing significant improvement since her debut.
“She’s a big filly and has room to grow,” Morley said, noting that her previous odds of 2-5 raised some concerns but that the filly’s progression remains promising. Interstate Love Song has been sharpening her form at Belmont Park with consistent half-mile works and continues to show good temperament and fitness.
Out of a family with stakes success, including full siblings and graded stakes winners, she was an impressive $90,000 RNA at last year’s Keeneland sale.
Two Bits, representing EGL-One Racing and ridden by Jaime Rodriguez at sixth favorite, most recently finished a distant second to Dazzling Dame in the Busanda, unable to match the impressive winner who garnered 72 Beyer points and earned qualifications for the Kentucky Oaks. Trainer Amelia Greene’s American Pharoah Bay, who last won a maiden race over one mile by 1 ¾ lengths, also competes, alongside Lucky Hat Racing’s Ivy Girl, as well as first-time winners Colorjuon Tap and Haunting Echoes, both of whom represent Branjam Stables and David W. Clark and are trained by Luis Linder Jr.
Completing the Ruthless field are Midnight Genie, trained by Jose Sanchez and racing for the first time in months after a fourth-place finish to Dazzling Dame, and other promising contenders ready to make their mark.
The Ruthless Stakes is slated as Race 4 in Saturday’s 10-race card at Aqueduct. The card also features the $200,000 Wizards Stakes as Race 9, a $150,000 Toboggan Stakes as Race 2, and a rescheduled $135,000 Ladies Stakes as Race 6.
The Ladies Stakes, initially set for January 17 but postponed twice due to weather issues, sees a competitive lineup of eight older mares over nine furlongs. Leading the pack is Klaravich’s Waysalisks, a 5-year-old Mendelssohn mare trained by Chad Brown, who arrives with three consecutive wins including two regional listed stakes. Notable horses like Bernietakescharge and Tipple also join the field, each bringing strong credentials.
For those following the Aqueduct winter meet, America’s Day at the Races provides daily live coverage on Fox Sports. Fans can place bets conveniently through the official NYRA Bets platform via iOS and Android apps.
Source: Originally published by Paulick Report on January 27, 2026.
Fan Take: This update highlights rising talents and key matchups in the fillies and older mares divisions, showcasing the deep competition developing at Aqueduct this winter. For horse racing enthusiasts, it signals exciting potential storylines that could impact grading statuses and spring competitions, keeping the sport dynamic and engaging.
