With the Angels, a $350,000 purchase out of this year’s OBS April sale, blasts the field in Sunday’s Joseph A. Gimma. Susie Raisher/NYRA Photo.
By Alec DiConza
The betting public seemed to know With the Angels would be a good one when she made her debut August 22 at Saratoga Race Course. Off at even-money with Jose Ortiz in the saddle, the daughter of Omaha Beach rolled to an easy 11 1/2-length victory for trainer Linda Rice.
With the Angels made her second career start in Sunday’s $125,000 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes at Aqueduct. The crowd bet her down to 1-9 favoritism, and similar to her debut, she did not disappoint.
Breaking from the rail again under Ortiz, With the Angels got off to a fast start and immediately took the lead. She led her four rivals through an opening quarter-mile in :23.40 and easily put separation between herself and Valtellina.
With the Angels galloped through the half in :47.17 and by the time she reached the quarter pole, the race appeared to be over. Getting some light encouragement from Ortiz, she opened to a 9 3/4-length margin and won as easy as could be over Valtellina and Carmen’s Candy Jar. With the Angels completed the 7-furlong stakes for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies in 1:24.04.
“She’s 2 years old, and I felt like she got a lot done the first time,” Ortiz said. “I was expecting to get something out of her a little bit because she’s going to have to face better horses next time and in the future. I wanted her to get something out of it today, and at the eighth pole I looked and nobody (was) coming. Just hand ride her, show her the whip a little bit and just ride her to the wire. Teach her that she needs to keep going.”
After two big victories against New York-breds, With the Angels could wheel back in just 13 days for the Grade 1 Frizette against open company.
“The door is open for the Frizette,” Rice said. “We are just going to see how she comes out of it, if she’s eating well, if she’s sharp, that type of thing. We are going to consider the Frizette, but if we decide to back up and go to the Maid of the Mist, that is an option as well.”
Owned by Winning Move Stable, John Oxley, Lady Sheila Stable, Rideau Racers and Sanford Robbins, With the Angels was bred by Joseph DeRico, foaled at River Valley Farm in Gansevoort and sold for $350,000 at the OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale.
With the Angels is out of the three-time winning Pulpit mare Sister Margaret, who has produced three other foals to race including the stakes-placed filly Maggy’s Palace.
