Finger Lakes: B Shanny uses speed to take Leon Reed Memorial Handicap

In his first two tries against New York-bred stakes company earlier this summer, B Shanny couldn’t carry his speed seven furlongs or the slightly shorter distance of 6 1/2 furlongs. But as he proved in Saturday’s $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial Handicap at Finger Lakes, six furlongs is right in B Shanny’s comfort zone.

Sent to the front by his first-time rider, John Davila Jr., B Shanny rolled to an easy 4 1/2-length victory in the sprint for statebreds. After setting fractions of 22.55 and 45.69 seconds, B Shanny ($2.70) was never threatened en route to reaching the wire in 1:10.27.

In a three-horse photo for second, Sundae On Sunday nosed out Al’s Deputy, who was a neck in front of William Thomas.

B Shanny, a 4-year-old son of Street Cry, has been training at Saratoga for Mike Hushion and owner Barry Schwartz. He faded to third in the seven-furlong Shy Groom at Belmont Park and backed up to fourth in the 6 1/2-furlong James Morrissey at Saratoga on Aug. 1. B Shanny has now won 5 of 12 starts and $224,405.