Vergara Wheels Back in Long Island

Distance-loving race mare Vergara  will attempt to add a second graded stakes win to her growing CV in the Nov. 12 $300,000 Long Island Stakes (G3T) for older fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Aqueduct Racetrack.

While Vergara hasn't raced at Long Island's 1 3/8-mile distance, the consistent daughter of Noble Mission  has landed stakes victories twice over 1 5/16 miles, including a three-quarter-length score in the Ladies Marathon Stakes (G3T) Sept. 9 at Kentucky Downs. The Graham Motion-trained filly was fifth last time out in Keeneland's Dowager Stakes (G3T) Oct. 22.

“I’m wheeling her back a little bit quickly which worries me a bit, but we’re at that time of year where we’re running out of chances to do this,” said Motion, a four-time winner of the Long Island. “She seemed to come out of her last race well and had kind of an awkward trip. I love the filly and I think she’s doing well at the moment.”

Owned by Gary Broad, Vergara, typically forwardly-placed early, will likely contend with the Todd Pletcher-trained Whatlovelookslike  breaking from her inside for the early lead.

Vergara will be ridden by John Velazquez.

Atomic Blonde , another proven mare over a route of a ground, eyes her first North American victory in the Long Island. Campaigned in partnership by West Point Thoroughbreds, Christophe Clement, and Winters Equine, the filly by The Grey Gatsby  has been the picture of consistency for trainer Clement, finishing in the money in five of her last six United States starts.

The late-running filly, a grade 3 winner in Italy, will be piloted by Joel Rosario in Sunday's contest.

Brendan Walsh, the trainer of last year's Long Island winner Temple City Terror , returns this year with R Calli Kim , a recent allowance winner at Keeneland over 1 1/2 miles, to challenge the top two.

Later on the card, an evenly matched field of older males lines up for the $150,000 Artie Schiller Stakes traveling a mile on the turf course.

Pioneering Spirit  may be the one to catch off his 15 3/4-length off-the-turf romp in the Knickerbocker Stakes last time out. The American Pharoah   gelding broke his maiden for $40,000 earlier this year but has improved with every start for trainer Linda Rice, concluding his Saratoga Race Course summer campaign with a third-place showing in the Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) and a win in the Bernard Baruch Stakes.

The Chad Brown-trained pair of Masen , who started only once in 2023 after capturing the Poker Stakes (G3T) last year, and Exact Estimate , a two-time allowance winner, are among the field of nine.