Blue Devil Racing Stable jockey Patricia Ahn, after securing second place in two stakes races, is aiming to claim victory in Sunday’s $150,000 Garland of Roses—a six-furlong sprint for fillies aged three and older at Aqueduct Racecourse.
Trainer Carlos Martin’s 4-year-old filly Patricia Ann, who recently finished second by 1 1/4 lengths in the seven-furlong Listed Pumpkin Pie on November 8, performed well under jockey Kendrick Carmouche, closing strongly despite being cut off by the winner. Her performance earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 87. Martin praised Patricia Ann’s consistency, noting she’s developing into a solid sprinter and expressed optimism about her chances to become a stakes winner.
Patricia Ann, named in honor of Martin’s late sister-in-law and bought for $20,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Sale, has a record of 11 starts with 3 wins and earnings of $270,525. Martin highlighted her physical growth over the last several weeks and emphasized the emotional significance behind her name and the hope that she will add to her achievements in stakes racing.
Other notable entrants include New York-bred Tricky Tempah, who recently finished third in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters, and Into Mischief Bay, who placed seventh in the Grade 3 Bessarabian at Woodbine. With the Angels, a promising 6-year-old filly with a strong past record at Aqueduct including multiple state horse stakes wins, will also compete after a recent second-place finish.
Also in the field are Volleyball Princess and Sunday Girl, both with stakes-winning credentials, as well as Hold Your Breath, Reliable Lady, and The Big Calhouna, a debutante in stakes company.
The Garland of Roses is set as the sixth race on an eight-race card, with the Grade 3 Camry race featured as Race 7. The meet will be broadcast live on FOX Sports, and wagers can be placed via the official platform NYRA Bets.
Fan Take: This exciting lineup showcases the depth of female sprinting talent, which is thrilling for horse racing fans eager to see emerging stars and seasoned competitors face off. Such competitive stakes races not only elevate the profiles of the fillies involved but also enhance the sport’s appeal by highlighting passionate connections and compelling backstories.
