Sharp Starr, Lady Rocket Duel in Go for Wand

Barry Schwartz's New York-homebred Sharp Starr  will look to defend her title Dec. 4 in $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap (G3), a one-turn mile race for fillies and mares at Aqueduct Racetrack. The Go for Wand, which is slated as race 7 on Saturday's 10-race program, is part of a stakes-laden card.

Trained by Horacio DePaz, Sharp Starr boasts a perfect in-the-money record of 2-2-2 in six starts at Aqueduct. A 4-year-old daughter of Munnings   out of the A.P. Indy  mare Mindy Gold , Sharp Starr boasts an overall ledger of 4-3-3 in 14 starts for purse earnings of $348,295.

"She's always had good form and it looks like she's stepping up. She's matured much more physically, so I'm very happy with her," DePaz said.

Sharp Starr captured the $250,000 Empire Distaff Oct. 30 at Belmont Park, off a two-month layoff, where she notched a 16-1 upset coming from last-of-10 under jockey Jose Ortiz, who will retain the mount from post 7 carrying 119 pounds.

Frank Fletcher Racing Operations and Ten Strike Racing's Lady Rocket  notched a game head score last out over Glass Ceiling  in the seven-furlong Pumpkin Pie Stakes, which was contested in two divisions over a sloppy and sealed main track Oct. 31 at Belmont.

Trainer Brad Cox said the one-turn mile should suit Lady Rocket, the 122-pound high weight, who sports a record of 5-3-1 in 10 starts with purse earnings of $393,008.

"She was very prominent on the pace last time out. She dug in pretty gamely to fight off the challenges," Cox said. "She's a nice filly and this is a good spot for her."

The winner of the other Pumpkin Pie division, Truth Hurts , trained and co-owned by Chad Summers with J Stables, is also in the Go for Wand.

The 4-year-old Ontario-bred daughter of Tonalist   captured an off-the-turf edition of the Perfect Sting Stakes over a one-turn mile in July at Belmont over a sloppy and sealed surface ahead of a fourth in the six-furlong Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) in July at Saratoga Race Course.

Truth Hurts boasts a record of two wins from three starts at Aqueduct, including a debut maiden score sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs in December 2019 ahead of a two-length optional claiming win one month later at a one-turn mile.

The race also includes a California shipper, Kaleem Shah's grade 2-placed Bella Vita , who enters off a 1 1/2-length score in the seven-furlong Betty Grable Stakes against fellow California-breds Nov. 7 at Del Mar.

She ran second to champion Gamine  in the Great Lady M Stakes (G2) for trainer Simon Callaghan this summer.

Miss Marissa , So Darn Hot , and Honor Way  complete the seven-horse field.

Entries: Go for Wand H. (G3)

Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, December 04, 2021, Race 7

• Grade III
• 1m
• Dirt
• $250,000
• 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 2:43 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Miss Marissa (KY)	Jose Lezcano	120	James T. Ryerson	4/1
2	2Lady Rocket (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	122	Brad H. Cox	8/5
3	3Bella Vita (CA)	Joel Rosario	118	Simon Callaghan	5/1
4	4So Darn Hot (KY)	Manuel Franco	118	George Weaver	10/1
5	5Honor Way (KY)	Eric Cancel	119	Charlton Baker	20/1
6	6Truth Hurts (ON)	Tyler Gaffalione	120	Chad Summers	5/1
7	7Sharp Starr (NY)	Jose L. Ortiz	119	Horacio DePaz	7/2