Hot City Girl's half-sister, La Verdad / Joe Labozzetta Photo

Hot City Girl returns in Union Avenue

by Najja Thompson

Lady Sheila Stables' Hot City Girl returns from a third-place finish in the Dancin Renee at Belmont Park to headline the $100,000 Union Avenue Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs for New York-bred fillies and mares on Thursday at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Linda Rice, the 4-year-old daughter of City Zip is 0-for-2 this year, having finished sixth in February in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie in her only other start.

Last year, the half-sister to 2015's Champion Female Sprinter La Verdad accumulated four wins from nine starts, including victories in the Safely Kept and the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks as well as a valiant second-place effort in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita Park in her last start of the year.

"She's been training up and into this race very well," said Rice. "We were disappointed but certainly not discouraged by her effort in the Dancin Renee. The winner [Haveyougoneaway] came back to win the Grade 2 Honorable Miss so we think that shows how good a race it was."

Like La Verdad, Hot City Gal likes to race on or close to the lead, but tactics for the Union Avenue will be left up to jockey Jose Ortiz, said Rice.

"She certainly isn't as fast as her half-sister, but I don't think she needs to be on the lead to win the race," said Rice. "She can rate and sit just off but I'll let Jose, who she's had a lot of success with, decide where he thinks she needs to be when they break."

The 2-1 morning line favorite, Hot City Girl will leave from from post position 7 with Ortiz in the Irons.

Shipping in from California for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is Dr. Fager's Gal. The 4-year-old has yet to reach the winner's circle in five starts this year but has shown a series of good efforts including a close-up second-place finish in the Saylorville on June 30 at Prairie Meadows. Last out, she raced three-wide to finish fourth on July 20 in the C.E.R.F. Stakes at Del Mar.

Drawing post 6 at odds of 7-2 on the morning-line, Dr. Fager's Gal will be ridden by Joel Rosario.

Looking to improve off a second-place finish in the Dancin Renee for trainer Bobby Ribaudo and owner Mac Keller is Quezon. A 4-year-old daughter of Tiz Wonderful with four wins from seven starts in her career, Quezon quickly showed ability as a 2-year-old, winning her career debut by six lengths before going on to take the Maid of the Mist at Belmont and place fourth in the Grade 2 Demoiselle at Big Sandy.

As a 3-year-old she won the Bouwerie in her only start of the year, and returned this year to win an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park before going on to finish fourth in the Critical Eye at Belmont Park.

The 3-1 morning-line second choice, Quezon will leave from post 3 with Manny Franco in the irons.

Also in the Union Avenue field is Court Dancer for trainer David Cannizzo and Ivery Sisters Racing, who last out on August 7 won an optional claiming race at Saratoga by 6 ¼ lengths while picking up a career best 90 Beyer Speed Figure. Cannizzo also will saddle Little Bear Cat, who most recently finished third on the turf on July 25 at the Spa in an optional claimer.

Rounding out the field are Familyofroses for trainer Neal Terracciano and owner FooDo Stables, winner of an optional claimer on July 15 at Belmont; Hot House Road, second in that race, for trainer Timothy Hills and Charles Dimino, and Non Finisce Mai for trainer Gary Gullo and Bob Petersons Stables.