Gonzalez Sends Out Three in Cinderella

Don’t expect the winners of the $65,000 Willard Proctor Memorial or the $65,000 Cinderella Stakes, both races for 2-year-olds, to make much noise as older horses.

The last male to win the Proctor that won a significant race later was Squirtle Squirt. He won the Proctor in 2000 and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2001 at Belmont Park.

The filly Golden Ballet won the Cinderella in 2000, then took the Las Virgenes and Santa Anita Oaks, both Grade I stakes races, the following year at Santa Anita.

In the 5 1/2 -furlong Cinderella today, owner Daniel Cardenas, who races as Tricar Stable Inc., and trainer Sal Gonzalez will send out three fillies, all of whom were winners at first asking.

The most impressive of those performances was turned in by Maria’s Quest.

A daughter of Maria’s Mon who was purchased for $35,000 in September at Keeneland, she won by 2 1/2 lengths at 29-1 on April 27. She will add Lasix for her second start but keep jockey David Cohen.

The five-furlong Proctor is headed by Kentucky shipper Sequoia King, who is adding blinkers for trainer Steve Asmussen, and recent maiden winner Stella’s Posada.

A gelded son of Star Of Valor, Stella’s Posada will debut for trainer Doug O’Neill, who purchased the Florida bred privately for J. Paul Reddam after a seven-length win against $40,000 maidens on May 11.

Race of the day: Honey Ryder, who has won nine of 22, will seek her first win over the Belmont Park turf course when she takes on seven other fillies and mares in the $150,000 Sheepshead Bay Handicap today. Garrett Gomez will ride the 5-year-old Lasting Approval mare for Glencrest Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher in the Grade II at 1 3/8 miles. In her last start, Honey Ryder won the Orchid Handicap by four lengths on April 1 at Gulfstream Park.

One for the road: Rich In Spirit has won over the Churchill Downs turf course and should be difficult to beat in her second start of the year in the seventh race today. Mark Guidry will ride the 4-year-old Repriced filly for owner-breeder Glen Hill Farm and trainer Tom Proctor in the $66,000 optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using Red State in the first; Robs Coin, Wind Water and Sendero in the second; Sequoia King and Stella’s Posada in the third; and Bransfield, Putmeinyourwill and Victory Sign in the fourth.

Winners (through Thursday): (previous day/meet total): 3/53. Money: (previous day/meet total): $24/$347.80. Total money bet: $400.