Aqueduct: Song River is the value play in the Garland of Roses Stakes

Seven fillies and mares will go postward in Saturday’s $100,000 Garland of Roses S. at Aqueduct. The Charlie Baker-trained #2 Glass Ceiling (6-5) is the deserving favorite as she exits a huge try in a division of the Pumpkin Pie S. when a head second to Lady Rocket, who aired in the Go For Wand (G3) last weekend. By Constitution, the four-year-old has improved her Brisnet Speed figure in three straight while in the best form cycle of her career. But I think that the Kentucky-bred faces a tall task in a well-matched field, and she is not worth her morning-line price.

#7 Song River (7-2) has shown marked improvement since transferring to the dirt three back, which followed six races on the grass. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the peaking daughter of Liam’s Map missed by a head in a main-track dash at Ellis Park three prior, which preceded a powerful wire-to-wire tally at Saratoga in the summer where Glass Ceiling was third best. 

The Florida-bred four-year-old raced at Churchill Downs on Nov. 13 off the short layoff and proved best over a solid allowance cast over 5 1/2 furlongs, using a swift move at the top of the lane en route to a clear tally while posting a solid final time. She continues to train forwardly, and I envision her putting forth a big effort while making her Big A debut.

Tactical filly lands in a race where the early tempo will be rapid and likely contested, which will give her every chance to use her positional speed from a fine outside post slot to receive a fine trip to the top of the lane. Javier Castellano will be atop the dark bay and guide her to an initial stakes triumph on Saturday.

Glass Ceiling has fine form and the right running style for the race as a stalker with a strong closing burst. It will be difficult to keep the filly out of the money with anything close to her top performance, so I will key her underneath in my vertical exotics.

Garland of Roses Wagers

• $6 trifecta 7 with 2 with all ($30)
• $3 trifecta 7 with all with 2 ($15)
• 50-cent superfecta 7 with 2 with all with all ($10)