Finger Lakes: Ferraro pair tough in Ontario County Stakes

Trainer Michael Ferraro looks ready to continue his family’s long run of success in the Ontario County Stakes at Finger Lakes when he saddles the uncoupled entry of Sundae On Sunday and Fench Wine in the six-furlong sprint for New York-bred 3-year-olds.

Ferraro’s son, M. Anthony Ferraro, won the Ontario County five times, most recently with Turnpike Token the last time the race was contested in 2010.

Sundae On Sunday owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure in Saturday’s 10-horse field, a 69 for his fourth-length score in his 3-year-old debut against nonwinners-of-two allowance company June 5. He will be facing New York-breds for the first time and also adding Lasix.

Ferraro also has French Wine, who looks dangerous, even though he remains a maiden after five starts. As a 2-year-old last season, French Wine finished second in the $260,000 Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes and was third in the $126,000 Aspirant. In his lone start this season, facing open company, French Wine was beaten two lengths, earning a 60 Beyer, racing on the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs.

The biggest threat to Ferraro’s entry looks like Hooked On Dance, whose 3-for-5 record locally includes back-to-back wins in his two most recent starts against allowance company.

◗ Charles Bownds was named the track’s new racing secretary, replacing Joe Colasacco, who stepped down for health reasons. Bownds formerly was racing secretary at Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma amd most recently served as assistant racing secretary at Charles Town. Bownds, a native of Texas, also trained small strings of horses racing at Turf Paradise, Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, and Remington Park.