Kentucky Derby Prep Races: “Volleyballprincess” Next Target

Share News

Kentucky Derby Prep Races Odds and News

“Volleyballprincess” Aims Busher Stakes After Ruthless Victory

The Kentucky Derby Prep Races continue to shape the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, and one filly making waves is “Volleyballprincess”. 

After a dominant gate-to-wire victory in the Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct, trainer Louis Linder Jr. is considering stretching her out in the distance for the Busher Stakes on March 1.

With Kentucky Derby betting intensifying and Kentucky Derby odds fluctuating for both colts and fillies, “Volleyballprincess” could emerge as a serious contender in the three-year-old filly division.

A Statement Win in the Ruthless Stakes

Sent off as an outsider in the five-horse field, “Volleyballprincess” showed early speed and never looked back. Under jockey Eliseo Ruiz, she set fractions of 23.67, 47.81, and 1:12.38 before drawing off to a commanding 10-length victory, stopping the clock in 1:25.12 for seven furlongs. Stablemate Ourdaydreaminggirl, also trained by Linder, rallied from last to complete the exacta.

The performance earned “Volleyballprincess” a career-best 77 Beyer Speed Figure, marking a significant improvement from her previous start, where she finished a distant third in the Parx Future Stars Fillies Division. The North Carolina-bred filly has now won two of her three career starts, all with Ruiz in the saddle.

Potential Step Up to the Busher Stakes

With confidence growing in her ability, Linder and owners Bran Jam Stable and David Clark are now considering the $200,000 Busher Stakes as her next target. The one-turn mile event at Aqueduct offers 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Oaks, making it a pivotal race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

Linder emphasized that “Volleyballprincess”’s health and condition would be the primary factors determining her next start. If she continues to train well, the Busher appears to be the logical progression as she stretches out in distance for the first time.

A Bargain Purchase with Big Potential

Bred by Dr. Frank Batten, “Volleyballprincess” was a $17,000 purchase at the OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The daughter of Mo Town is out of the winning mare Prom Dress, a Stephen Got Even mare known for producing versatile runners. Linder recalled being immediately impressed by her shape at the sale, believing she had the makings of a strong sprinter.

While her early success has come at shorter distances, her ability to control the pace and finish strong suggests she may handle the added ground of the Busher. If she excels at a mile, she could become a serious player for the Kentucky Oaks later this spring.

Stablemate “Ourdaydreaminggirl” Also Moving Forward

Linder was equally pleased with Ourdaydreaminggirl’s second-place finish, particularly given her difficult trip. The Instagrand filly stumbled badly at the start, leaving her trailing the field early. However, jockey Sahin Civaci kept her engaged and guided her into a strong closing finish.

Linder noted that he has always believed Ourdaydreaminggirl would thrive at two turns, making future route races a possibility. She broke her maiden at Parx on Dec. 30, and despite facing tougher competition in the Ruthless, she showed enough talent to suggest she can improve with added distance.