Romantic Pursuit back up in trip for G3 Long Island Stakes

Romantic Pursuit looks to build on a highly promising first run in Graded company when she returns to a mile and three furlongs in the G3 Long Island Stakes at Aqueduct, USA, on Saturday, 30 November.

The three-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly finished strongly to take third for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin in the nine-furlong G2 Sands Point Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, 12 October.

She had previously made two appearances over 11 furlongs, following up a game success in a Saratoga allowance optional claimer at the end of July with a close fourth in the valuable Jockey Club Oaks at Belmont Park in September.

Romantic Pursuit, the mount of Dylan Davis, faces 11 fillies and mares headed by G1 E P Taylor Stakes sixth Si Que Es Buena plus Empressof The Nile and Homeland Security, who were first and second in the Zagora Stakes at Aqueduct earlier this month.

Kiaran McLaughlin said: “Romantic Pursuit has been doing very well and we feel that the return to a mile and three furlongs will suit.

“As a three-year-old, she is getting weight from some of her rivals and there doesn’t appear to be much pace in the race, so she may well be forwardly placed.

“She has improved with every run this year and we are hoping for another good effort in what looks a strong G3 race.”

On the same card, Fully Vested (Tom Albertrani/Jose Lezcano), who was third behind Final Frontier in the Belmont Turf Sprint in October, goes for a first Stakes win in the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship Stakes over six furlongs.