Big Q stands out in rich Fifth Avenue

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Gary Gullo was discussing the field for Sunday’s $500,000 Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old fillies where he plans to run Big Q and got nervous.

“On paper, she should win,” Gullo said. “Everything looks good, but that’s the scary part. When you look too good and everything’s going right, it doesn’t go right.”

Big Q does look like a standout in the Fifth Avenue, a seven-furlong race restricted to progeny of New York-based stallions that received a $350,000 purse boost this year as New York tries to boost the quality of stallions that stand in the state.

Big Q is a daughter of dual-classic winner Big Brown who has won 2 of 4 starts, including the Key Cents Stakes by five lengths on Nov. 16. Big Q is the only multiple winner in an 11-horse field that includes five maidens, two of whom have never started.

Big Q won her debut on the July 11 opening-day card at Saratoga by a half-length. She came back in the Grade 2 Adirondack on Aug. 4 and finished fifth before coming back 19 days later to run fifth in the Seeking the Ante Stakes for statebreds.

“In the Adirondack, she ran a good race. She was running up on the inside, not like she was going to win, but she got stopped a few times,” Gullo said. “Then I ran her back too close in the next race.”

In the Key Cents, Big Q had the outside draw in a field of seven. Sunday, she has to break from the rail.

“I just hate the post,” said Gullo, who has Jose Lezcano to ride. “It forces our hand to come out of there running.”

Still, there should be enough pace in the race to allow Big Q to utilize her off-the-pace running style.

Classy Sadie makes her seventh start of the year. She raced twice during the Belmont spring meet, winning an off the-turf race going five furlongs in the mud in her second start. She has raced in four consecutive stakes, three on turf, without success.

For $500,000, Contessa feels he has to take a shot that Classy Sadie can get seven furlongs.

“She’s got speed if you want her to have speed, she’ll rate kindly if you want her to rate,” Contessa said. “I look at that race and I certainly get the impression she’s one of the ones for sure. This is a hell of a race to find out if she’ll go seven-eighths.”

Time Limit will try to carry her speed seven furlongs. She was beaten a neck in the Seeking the Ante going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga. Most recently, she set the pace before finishing third to Big Q in the Key Cents.

Sure Stitch is a first-time starter by Giant Surprise who has a series of steady works for trainer Charlton Baker.

Officer Hutchy, trained by Linda Rice, won at first asking for maiden $40,000 claiming but has the right off-the-pace style that could serve her well in this spot.

Jimmys Lass, Desbordes, A Freud of Mama, Bank Sting, Central Exit, and Holmdel Park complete the field.