Ramify Make Debut in Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack

A stakes debut is the destiny of this Juddmonte homebred filly – The $125,000 Busanda Stakes up for grabs at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday. That race, stretching over 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-old fillies, presented a needed chance for some of them to secure a spot in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

The Busanda Stakes is a key event on the Oaks trail, awarding points to the top five finishers in a 20-10-6-4-2 distribution. As this race marks Ramify’s first stakes appearance, it’s expected to draw significant attention. With the Kentucky Oaks just a few months away, the Busanda will play a major role in determining which horses are in contention for the prestigious race.

Ramify, a chestnut filly by Munnings, rolls into her first race with quite a reputation, having taken her first start at Aqueduct Racetrack by forceful command on December 8. She triumphed in a one-turn mile, overcoming a slow start and a green performance through the first half of the race. Under jockey Flavien Prat, Ramify rallied in the final turn, taking the lead and holding off a challenge from My Sherrona, whom she had been trailing earlier. She crossed the line half a length ahead, completing the race in 1:38.64, with a field-leading 76 Beyer Speed Figure.

Her debut was a strong indication of her talent. Although she was far behind at the half-mile mark, she found her rhythm in the stretch and put on a determined finish. This resilience adds to her promise as she takes on a stakes company for the first time.

Ramify is under the charge of Chad Brown, a four-time Eclipse Award winner trained by one of the best in the game. Brown, perhaps the best horse developer for big races, has some amazing stats regarding very young horses, especially fillies. His expertise will be crucial as Ramify aims to make the transition from maiden winner to stakes contender.

Brown’s success in preparing horses for races like the Kentucky Oaks bodes well for Ramify. Ramify looks set to move to the next stage of her road as a racehorse under one of the most esteemed trainers in the sport with her first win and a pedigree.

Ramify’s pedigree is another factor that adds to her appeal. She is out of Chamber, a winning Tapit mare, and comes from a strong family of stakes-winning bloodlines. Her second dam, Sightseek, was a multiple Grade 1 winner, and her family includes other top performers like Miss Carmie, Hall of Famer Chris Evert, and Nijinsky Star. This impressive lineage enhances Ramify’s potential, giving her a solid foundation for success in major races.

She is born to an amazing lineage, and she is possibly a very good contender for the Kentucky Oaks, with a family history that includes some of the best racehorses and broodmares in the industry. Judging by bloodlines alone, she should possess the talent and ability to contend at the highest level of racing.

One of Ramify’s main competitors in the Busanda Stakes will be Running Away, a Kentucky homebred filly from Stud TNT, trained by Wesley Ward. Running Away, a daughter of Gun Runner has already shown her ability on both turf and dirt.

After taking the first start of her career in two turf races, Running Away recently dirted it for her most recent race at Churchill Downs on November 30. There, she ran at an amazing five lengths over a 1 1/16-mile run, pacing from start to finish. Running Away’s Hall of Famer, John Velázquez, supervised her convincing victory, which earned her 73 Beyer Speed Figures.

Running Away’s front-running style could make her a serious challenge for Ramify. She has already set her credentials in the dirt, and her performance in that race indicates that she could very well be one to watch at the Busanda Stakes.

In addition to Ramify and Running Away, several other fillies will compete in the Busanda Stakes, making for a competitive field. The race is expected to attract top young talent as each horse aims to earn points toward a spot in the Kentucky Oaks. With the level of competition high, the Busanda will serve as a key test for the fillies in the field.

The Kentucky Oaks is undoubtedly one of the premier competitions for three-year-old fillies, and it shall serve as a crucial platform regarding the Busanda Stakes for the horses in quest of a berth in the race. Points earned in the Busanda will help fillies position themselves for the race at Churchill Downs in May.

Ramify’s impressive debut and strong pedigree suggest she has the potential to be a contender for the Kentucky Oaks. However, the competition in the Busanda Stakes, particularly from Running Away, will test her readiness for the next level. As the fillies prepare for the challenge ahead, the Busanda Stakes promises to be a crucial event on the path to the Kentucky Oaks.

The Busanda Stakes offers a thrilling opportunity for Ramify and other talented fillies to showcase their abilities. Looking ahead to stakes competition with a promising debut, an accomplished trainer, and a pedigree full of champions, Ramify is one to watch. The result of the race will likely prove crucial in the argument for defining the field for the Kentucky Oaks; all eyes will be on Aqueduct Racetrack this Saturday.