Allowance race no gimme for My Fair Lily

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though My Fair Lily looms a short-priced favorite in Friday’s featured first-level allowance race at Aqueduct, there are some interesting alternatives in the six-furlong race for fillies and mares.

My Fair Lily, trained by Chad Brown, is coming off a 1 3/4-length maiden win Jan. 12 over a muddy inner track, the type of surface she could get Friday if the forecast for a winter storm that prompted the cancellation of Thursday’s card proves accurate.

Still, she will be facing winners for the first time while taking on a group that looks a bit saltier than she has met previously.

Ring Knocker and Princessofthieves are both multiple winners, and each is coming off a third-place finish with this type of company. Anydayismyday, Shayna Lady, and Audacious Angel are all returning from lengthy layoffs but have run races that make them competitive in here.

KEY CONTENDERS

My Fair Lily, by Smoke Glacken

Last 3 Beyers: 75-53-76

◗ Got a perfect stalking trip under Manny Franco to win a maiden race over Shimmering Moon, who came back to win a New York-bred maiden race by 17 1/2 lengths in her next start.

◗ My Fair Lily’s only other dirt start was a neck loss over a muddy Belmont surface.

Anydayisymyday, by Afleet Alex

Last 3 Beyers: 76-65-59

◗ She has been idle since last March, when she was beaten just a length by Lost Raven in the Cicada Stakes over the inner track. Trainer Edmund Pringle said Anydayismyday came out of that race with a problem and needed time off.

◗ She ran second to the eventual stakes winner Mo d’Amour in her career debut as a 2-year-old.

“I’m expecting her to run good,” Pringle said. “Sometimes they may need a race even though she ran well first time.”

DRF FORMULATOR fact: Over the last five years, Pringle is 0 for 7 with horses coming off a layoff longer than 180 days.

◗ Rajiv Maragh, who Pringle said has been working the filly in the morning, has the call.

Ring Knocker, by Birdstone

Last 3 Beyers: 73-68-76

◗ Chased a slow pace and couldn’t close when third behind Malibu Princess and Mahabodhi Tree at this condition Jan. 20.

◗ Beat two next-out winners while taking a starter allowance here Dec. 31, her first start after being claimed for $25,000 on Dec. 1.

Shayna Lady, by American Lion

Last 3 Beyers: 69-66-62

◗ Ships up from Florida for her first start since last September, when she was sixth at this condition on the turf.

◗ Last August at Saratoga, she finished third behind Saharan and True Roman in a swiftly run race.

“The one-other-than at Saratoga was saltier than the one she’s in on Friday,” trainer George Weaver said. “I’m hoping we found the right bunch to discover her 2-year-old form and get her back on track.”