May 9, 2015 Belmont Park, Race 4 – Grade 2 Ruffian Stakes

2daysrace

In the 4th race at Belmont for the Grade 2 Ruffian Stakes Princess Violet moved into the Rice barn and won a Grade 1 sprint at Keeneland April 4. She tops the charting (listed above) off her last route when she just missed in a Grade 3 Nov 28 and she won her last two starts over this track. J. Ortiz knows her well and we’ll give ‘Violet the HF 15a. She also has the fastest time in the stretch which in route races can be an advantage. Via Strata has won all three starts and plots well off her big win vs. NW2 Optional Claimers at Keeneland April 9. She tries Stakes foes for the first time, but she has worked in exceptional fashion for this and she might be this good. Wedding Toast was 4th in that April 4 sprint, but she has won four of six dirt routes including both tries over this track. She is a Grade 3 winner and a fast work April 25 suggests she is sharp.
CLOSERS: Fastest in the stretch in recent races at or near this distance have been: Princess Violet :23.2 – Macha :25.3 – Via Strata :25.4