Kosciuszko looks to bridge to success in NYSS Great White Way

By Najja Thompson —-

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – A competitive field of twelve will each look to end their year with momentum in the 34th running of the $150,000 New York Stallion Series Great White Way Division, a six-furlong sprint for juveniles, on Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trainer Pat Quick and owner Ed Witek will send out Kosciuszko who is aiming to improve off a third-place finish in the Notebook on November 25 at the Big A. Homebred by his owner and Dr. Joseph Witek, the Smart Bid colt made his debut on August 17 at Saratoga Race Course, where he ran fourth, and followed up with a second-place finish on the turf on September 16 at Belmont Park.

Returning to the main track in a race taken off the grass on October 20, he bested a field of 10 in front-running fashion to win by 6 ¼ lengths while recording a field-high 83 Beyer Speed Figure.

“Since his last race he’s been training forwardly,” said Quick. “After breaking his maiden, he came down with a bit of fever eight days out from the Notebook, so I don’t think he was quite himself in that race, but he’s seemed to return to his old self.”

With the chance of inclement weather in the forecast, Quick said he is hopeful for a fast track.

“That’s the only question mark we have,” said Quick. “We hope we can get a fast track, but regardless we’ll look to take advantage of his natural speed.”

Kosciuszko will leave from post 4 with Jose Lezcano aboard.

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart will enter the lone filly in the field with Cartwheelin Lulu. Cross-entered in Saturday’s NYSS $150,000 Fifth Avenue, the Bustin Stones bay won her debut by four lengths on August 16 at Finger Lakes and went on to win the Joseph A. Gimma on September 19 at Belmont. She is set to make her first start since finishing fifth in the Maid of the Mist at a mile on October 20.

“We gave her a bit of time off after the Maid of the Mist opting to skip the Key Cents [November 23],” said Englehart. “She’s doing pretty well. It’s going to be a tough race, but we think the cutback in distance should help to benefit her. She’s got speed, so I expect her to be involved early.”

Cartwheelin Lulu will leave from post 9 with Jorge Vargas, Jr. aboard.

Trainer Debra Reed will ship in a pair of contenders from Finger Lakes with Invaluable Will and Chicken Valley Rd.

Sired by Willcox Inn, Invaluable Will started his career with a second-place finish at Finger Lakes on October 17. After breaking his maiden in his second start on October 31, he most recently ran third in an allowance race on November 19 at Finger Lakes.

Chicken Valley Rd, sired by The Lumber Guy, broke his maiden in his most recent and third career start by 4 ¼ lengths on October 3 at Finger Lakes.

“The both of them are training well and both love a muddy track so we’re hoping for a little rain,” said Reed. “Chicken Valley Rd looked real nice in his maiden win and has been progressing since then. Invaluable Will is more of a stalker and had a tough trip in his last race. They complement each other so I think we have a good shot.”

Invaluable Will drew the rail with Harry Hernandez in the irons. Chicken Valley Rd will leave from post 8 with Hector Diaz, Jr. aboard.

Kadens Courage graduated in his fifth start with an 11 ¼ length score on November 30 at Aqueduct for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and owners Sunrise Stables and Celeritas Racing. The consistent Frost Giant colt also boasts a second and three third-place finishes. The chestnut colt will leave from post 3 with Junior Alvarado aboard.

Also entered is Lost in Manhattan for trainer Armando De La Cerda; Bustin Hoffman for trainer Ollie Figgins, III; Blindwillie McTell for trainer Linda Rice; Bebe Banker for trainer James Ferraro; Riken for trainer David Donk; Thorny Tale for trainer George Weaver and Dark Money for trainer Chris Englehart.