Majestic Return is ‘much the best’ in second start at Aqueduct

After Majestic Return finished a well-beaten sixth at odds of 32-1 in her career debut at Aqueduct, on March 5 she breezed four furlongs in :47.86 over the training track, eighth best of the 126 who worked the distance that day.

That morning trial apparently wasn’t lost on the sharp handicappers who follow such developments, and for her second try yesterday, the 3-year-old filly by Long On Value was sent off at odds of 5-1 in a $70,000 maiden special at six furlongs. With veteran Kendrick Carmouche aboard, Majestic Return reveled in the sloppy going at the Big A, shooting to the lead leaving the gate and waltzing to the wire 6 1/2 lengths in front behind fractions of :22.91, :47.20 and :59.86 as new track announcer brought her home with “Majestic Return . . . just striding away . . . Majestic Return . . . much the best.”

The filly bred in New York by Marshall Gramm, Raymond Sauer and Mike Pietrangelo paid $13.40 after crossing the finish line in 1:13.22, and collecting a check for $38,500. She became the second winner, and first of 2023 for sophomore sire Long On Value from just six starters.