Abounding Joy kicked off the new year with a runner up effort first off the bench in the Interborough S at Aqueduct.
We knew going in it was going to be ambitious to run in a 7f Stakes against in form fillies and she performed up to expectations. The daughter of Champion sire Quality Road; Abounding Joy didn’t disappoint and gave us great confidence coming out of the race that a potential stakes win this season is achievable. There were so many positives to take away from this performance.
Abounding Joy broke alertly and sat in a good stalking position. It was good to see her put herself into the race off the layoff and Junior Alvarado wasn’t having to push her to engage. Turning for home she put the pressure on the front runners and made a strong move to put away the early pacesetters but could not hold off Saguaro Row, a filly that their connections have had high hopes for and is already an established stakes filly with graded placings.
Abounding Joy did not give up and fought through the wire, diminishing the lead that was put on her with every stride. She cooled out well and scoped clean after the race but was definitely tired as would be expected. We will monitor how she trains once returned to the track in the next several days and begin to discuss options with Bill Mott. We couldn’t have been happier with Abounding Joy’s comeback performance and she looks to have returned to the races in career form.
For the race replay follow this link
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/usa/aqu/2020/1/20/8/interborough-s