Paradise Posts Comfortable Victory in Aqueduct's Busher

It took Larry Roth and his wife, Nanci, several years to find a "lucky" spot to watch their horses race at Aqueduct Racetrack. It finally happened Feb. 28 when the "L" and "N" in LNJ Foxwoods watched their filly Paradise romp by 3 3/4 lengths in the $194,000 Busher Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at the Big A. "We finally won here," Larry Roth said. "I changed my location. I watched it upstairs with my wife, so maybe that did it. But finally after five or six years, I found my spot." Unfortunately the Roths can only take advantage of that spot through June 28 when Aqueduct will close, but after Saturday's race there's hope of watching Paradise in much more prominent races. Owned by the Roths' daughter, Jaime (the J in LNJ Foxwoods), and NK Racing, Paradise put herself on the cusp of earning a spot in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1) as the Busher win gave her 37.5 qualifying points toward a start in the famed 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-old fillies. The Busher had originally been worth 50 points to the winner, but that total was reduced by 25% due to a five-horse field. A solid showing in the final round of Kentucky Oaks preps should lock up a spot in that field for the Brad Cox-trained filly. But as much as Larry Roth would love to see the daughter of Gun Runner in the starting gate May 1, he's uncertain at the moment if the added distance will suit her, even after Saturday's convincing victory at a one-turn mile. "We're not sure if she'll go that long," he said about the Kentucky Oaks. "We got in the mix today. We'll try and see if she can go longer and then we'll think about the Oaks." Paradise, the 6-5 favorite ($4.72), also was entered in Saturday's Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park where she scored a maiden win at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track in her second start. Paradise was bred in Kentucky by Ciaglia Racing, HNDEH, and Domenic Savides out of the multiple grade 1-placed Munnings mare Venetian Harbor. She was bought for $700,000 from the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2024. Paradise, who was ridden by Manny Franco, is the first foal to race by grade 2 winner Venetian Harbor, who also has a 2-year-old Curlin colt who sold for $1.05 million at last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and an Into Mischief yearling colt. Nycon (Nyquist) took second by a neck over Interstatelovesong (Bolt d'Oro). The final time for the mile on a track rated good was 1:38.53. Bold Journey prevails in Tom Fool Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott's penchant for keeping his horses in top form, even at an advanced racing age, was on display in the $169,750 Tom Fool Stakes (G3) as the 7-year-old Bold Journey prevailed by a nose in the final stride. In a 34-race career, it was the first graded stakes win for the New York-bred Hard Spun gelding since the 2023 Fall Highweight Handicap (G3). Owned by Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable, and Gary Barber, Bold Journey ($23.34), ridden by Eric Cancel, has won eight times and earned $997,253. Full Moon Madness (Into Mischief) was second, three-quarters of a length ahead of 2-5 favorite One Nine Hundred (Dialed In). Final time for the 6 furlongs was 1:10.70. Bold Journey was bred by Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding out of the Super Saver mare Polly Freeze.