First Flight

The seven-furlong First Flight H. (G2) for fillies and mares is the
co-feature on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Day card at Aqueduct.

Grade 2 winner BENDING STRINGS (American Chance) exits a last-to-first
daylight victory in the six-furlong Safely Kept Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) at
Pimlico. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained filly, who finished a closing second in
the Test S. (G1) at Saratoga, figures to benefit from all the speed present and
rates out top choice.

PASSING SHOT (A.P Indy) has been keeping top company and comes into this
event off a third-place effort in the 1 1/16-mile Ogden Phipps H. (G1) at
Belmont Park on June 19. The Allen Jerkens-trained mare has three wins in five
starts over this track and rates a major player in the drive.

The extra speedy SMOKEY GLACKEN (Forestry) set the pace before finishing
second to Bending Strings in the Safely Kept last out. She is a Grade 3 winner
in her only start over this surface and is the one to catch. The seven-furlong
distance is a concern, however.

SCHEDULE (GB) (Brian’s Time) comes off a romping, wire-to-wire win in a
two-turn stakes race in the mud at Meadowlands and rates a threat on the turn
back in distance. HIDDEN RANSOM (Silver Ghost) is a useful off-the-pace sort who
could earn a part. New York-bred SENSIBLY CHIC (Distorted Humor) figures to get
a class test with these.