Ruffian Handicap 2014 Contenders & Odds

Dave Bond | OTB Writer

Las Vegas, NV - Belmont Park in Elmont, New York will be the scene of the Grade 2 Ruffian Handicap this Mother's Day Sunday, May 11. Fillies and mares four years old and upward will be featured as they go one mile on Belmont Park's main track looking for the winner's portion of the $250,000 purse.

A field of six older females will line up in the Ruffian Handicap - race 8 on Belmont Park's Sunday card. Post time is 4:57 PM. Let's take a glance into the past performances of all six entries for this competitive Grade 2 stakes.

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2014 Ruffian Handicap Race Favorite Entries

Grace Hall - Grace Hall returns to the track after 13 months away. Last time out was a disappointing seventh as even money favorite in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park April 12, 2013 after a decent third in the Grade 3 Sabin Stakes in February, 2012. Before that she had won two of four starts - the Grade 2 Indiana Oaks in October, 2012 and the Grade 2 Delaware Oaks in July, 2012 with an uncharacteristic fifth in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes in between. She has six wins, two seconds and two third place finishes in 12 career starts and hopes rust isn't a factor Sunday. Joel Rosario rides the 123 pound top weight from post 5.

My Wandy's Girl - defending runner up in this race had just one more start in 2013 for new trainer Michael Hushion - an eight months layoff was followed by a fifth in the minor Garland of Roses Stakes at Aqueduct December 7. In her only start of 2014 My Wandy's Girl looked terrific in winning the Barbara Fritchie Handicap February 22 at Laurel Park. She had 11 starts in 2012 with an incredible nine wins, a second and a third place finish - that coming in the Grade 1 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct November 23. Included in the wins are the Grade 1 Dia de los Padres Stakes and the Grade 2 Roberto Clemente Stakes in Puerto Rico before a win in her North American debut in the Pentelis Stakes here November 15. She has placed in 21 of 23 career starts and her win last time out has served notice that she is back and ready to challenge at the highest level. Rajiv Maragh gets the call from post 2

Ruffian Handicap 2014 | Remaining Contenders

Fiftyshadesofhay - Bob Baffert trained filly has 15 career starts. She had a very nice second behind Beholder in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes Stakes last March 2 and she won the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel by 5 3/4 lengths last January 26, 2013 in her graded stakes debut with an impressive Beyer speed figure of 90. She was third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks April 6 also behind Beholder and had a nice two race win streak after that - the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico May 17 and in the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks June 29. She has been just OK in five starts since. Last time out was a somewhat disappointing sixth in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Stakes March 15 after a fourth in the Grade 2 La Canada Stakes January 19, a second as even-money favorite in the Grade 2 Bayakoa at Hollywood Park December 7, a third in the Grade 2 Indiana Oaks and a second behind Princess of Sylmar in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes in August. She has four wins, four seconds and three third place finishes in her career and will be looking to end a five race losing streak Sunday. John Velazquez picks up the mount from the far outside post.

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Toasting - Thomas Albertini trained filly is coming off an ugly last of seven in the Grade 2 Inside Information Stakes March 22 after an Allowance score March 8, a disappointing eighth in the minor Ten Palms Stakes February 23 and an OK third in the Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff right behind My Pal Chrisy January 10. She ended last year with a good second in the Grade 3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct in November and a nice win in the minor Dream Rush Stakes at Belmont Park in October. Toasting has placed in four of her last six starts overall and has hit the board in three of five career graded stakes races. She will be looking to bounce back after a career worst effort when she leaves from the 4-hole with Javier Castellano aboard.

Parc Monceau - Michael Hushion trained filly has nine career starts with two wins, three seconds and a third place finish. She makes her stakes debut Sunday off a 5 3/4 length Allowance score at Aqueduct April 4 and having placed in three straight Allowance races this past winter at Gulfstream.

Six Queens - Kiaran McLaughlin trained mare has just four career starts with three wins and a second place finish. She enters her first stakes race on a two race win streak - an Allowance Optional Claiming last time out at Aqueduct April 10 and an Allowance at Gulfstream in February. She takes a huge step up in competition but looks more than ready


2014 Ruffian Handicap Entries & Odds

Race 8 on Belmont Park's Sunday card with a Post Time of 5:13 PM.

Entry Horse Jockey Trainer ML Odds
1 Six Queens L. Saez K. McLaughlin
4-1
2 My Wandy's Girl R. Maragh M. Hushion
7-2
3 Parc Monceau J. Ortiz M. Hushion
20-1
4 Toasting J. Castellano T. Albertrani
8-1
5 Grace Hall J. Rosario W. Mott
5-2
6 Fiftyshadesofhay J. Velazquez B. Baffert
2-1