Aqueduct: Juvenile fillies featured in Thursday allowance

While Thursday’s program offers pretty much what you’d expect at Aqueduct in December, it also has several aspects that go into hibernation once the scene shifts to the winterized inner dirt track next week – three races at distances of either 6 1/2 or seven furlongs; a one-turn, one-mile race; and a pair of races scheduled for turf at 1 1/16 miles.

Six 2-year-old fillies contest the nominal feature at seven furlongs, a first-level $72,000 allowance carded as race 3.

Todd Pletcher and David Jacobson each send out an uncoupled entry and bring to mind Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis – “Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside” of the famous Army football teams of 1944-46. Pletcher’s Fierce Boots and Storm Swept break from the two inside posts, and Jacobson’s Alpaca Fina and Winekeeper are drawn on the outside.

Alpaca Fina and Storm Swept were third and fourth in the Sharp Cat overnight stakes on closing day at Belmont Park.

Alpaca Fina returned to dominate a group of starter optional-claiming sprinters here two weeks ago, thus recouping a large chunk of the $50,000 she was claimed for out of her winning career debut.

Fierce Boots exits an off-the-board finish in the Chelsea Flower overnight stakes on turf, as does the Bill Mott-trained Ketel Twist. Prior to the Chelsea Flower, both fillies graduated from the maiden ranks on dirt.

The top Beyer Speed Figures in the field belong to Winekeeper, who makes her first start off a claim by Jacobson after wiring $75,000 maidens, and Summertime Friend, who shrugged off pace pressure to win her debut at Belmont for Kiaran McLaughlin.

Summertime Friend, a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, was purchased at the Fasig-Tipton March sale for $350,000. She looms as the probable favorite as she stretches out from 5 1/2 furlongs.

With some cooperation from Mother Nature, a field of 10 New York-bred allowance runners entered for turf will clash in race 8.

Madam I’m Adam, Hooked Forever, and Sunlover, who finished close together when second, third, and fourth Oct. 26, are logical contenders.

Mississippi Duel, who on Nov. 21 was disqualified from what would have been his third victory of the season against $20,000 claimers, is the one to catch.

Noosh’s Tale, a maiden winner at 54-1 over this course last fall, returns from a freshening for Pat Kelly.

Entered for the dirt only are Alcolite, Chrisandlorisposse, Grahamandwithers, Mike and Rob, Wise Guide, and Saturday Appeal.