Sheikh Mohammed homebred Via Strata (Street Cry {Ire}) puts her unbeaten record on the line in Belmont's GII Ruffian S. Saturday. A 5 3/4-length debut victress sprinting over the Big A inner Dec. 13, she had no trouble defeating winners when stretched to a mile back in Ozone Park Feb. 7. The 4-year-old earned the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction last time when she crushed Keeneland optional claimers box to wire by eight lengths Apr. 9. The daughter of MGSW Golden Velvet (Seeking the Gold) is coupled with fellow Kiaran McLaughlin trainee and 'Rising Star' Wedding Toast (Street Sense). Last year's GIII Comely S. heroine kicked off 2015 with a win in Gulfstream's Miami Shores H. Jan. 7, but was third at 4-5 behind House Rules (Distorted Humor) in the GIII Rampart S. back in Hallandale Feb. 21. The 5-year-old was most recently fourth behind Princess Violet (Officer) in Keeneland's GI Vinery S. going a furlong shorter Apr. 4.
Barry K. Schwartz's Princess Violet finished a distant second to eventual champion Untapable (Tapit) in last June's GI Mother Goose S. here, and was second by a nose in Aqueduct's GIII Go For Wand H. Nov. 28. Second in the GII Barbara Fritchie H. Feb. 14, she annexed the Madison after being transferred from the ailing Mike Hushion to Linda Rice. “Mike Hushion did an amazing job bringing her along as a young filly to the level that she competes at today,” said Rice. “We didn't want to run her back on short time, so we decided on the Ruffian to give her the extra rest and she's doing very well. We're very excited about the race.”
Joseph Shields Jr.'s House Rules cruised by 9 1/4 lengths in Gulfstream's Bal Harbour H. Jan. 2 before taking the Rampart and splitting last Saturday's GI La Troienne S. three-one finishers Sheer Drama (Burning Roma) and Molly Morgan (Ghostzapper) in the GII Royal Delta S. Mar. 21. She returned to winning ways last time in Aqueduct's nine-panel GIII Top Flight H. Apr. 11–Shayjolie (Indian Charlie) was third.
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