Deck Stacked in Nassau County Sprint

Acey Deucey has helped make the first part of 2005 a memorable one for her trainer John Morrison after winning Aqueduct's Dearly Precious and the Comely (gr. II). Saturday, Acey Deucey will try to continue her ascent in the 3-year-old filly sprint ranks when she battles seven horses in the $200,000 Nassau County Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park.

Acey Deucey, like more than half the Nassau County, was also nominated to Sunday's New York-bred restricted Bouwerie, but is likely to run in this richer spot.

A daughter of Abaginone, Acey Deucey has won three of four starts this season. Her lone loss was a second-lace finish in Aqueduct's Cicada (gr. III) March 19. She is returning to the site of her maiden win last October.

"I hope it continues; she's really doing well," said Morrison, who won the first graded stakes of his career in the Comely. "I don't think she'll mind if there's moisture in the track, but I'd be a little worried running her in a driving rainstorm."

Acey Deucey was headstrong as a 2-year-old, but has learned to rate off the pace in recent months. Jockey Diane Nelson, aboard Acey Deucey in all seven of her career starts, also seems to fit her like a glove.

"Diane's done a great job with her," Morrison said. "This filly's got a big kick, but you can't move too early. You have to be patient and wait."

Morrison thinks his filly has additional improving to do.

"Time will tell, but I think she can be even better," he said. "Right now, I think she's good enough to try a grade I."

Seeking the Ante finished a half-length behind Acey Deucey in the Comely, but might be able to turn the tables as racing shifts back to Belmont. Trained by John Kimmel, Seeking the Ante is a half sister to grade I winner Friends Lake, who won the 2003 Sleepy Hollow over this track.

$200,000 Nassau County Breeders' Cup (gr. II), 3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongs
PP. Horse, Trainer, Jockey, Weight
1. Acey Deucey, John Morrison, Diane Nelson, 122
2. Pretty Partisan, Tim Hills, Alan Garcia, 116
3. Exit to Heaven, Kiaran McLaughlin, Richard Migliore, 116
4. Bright Mahogany, Gary Contessa, Pablo Fragoso, 118
5. Winning Season, D. Wayne Lukas, Eibar Coa, 118
6. Seeking the Ante, John Kimmel, Mike Luzzi, 116
7. Quite a Ruckus, Kiaran McLaughlin, Aaron Gryder, 116
8. Slew Motion, Richard Dutrow Jr., Norberto Arroyo Jr., 116
Winning Season will race with blinkers.