Finger Lakes: Talking Treasure tough despite weights
Talking Treasure heads a three-horse uncoupled entry for trainer Charlton Baker in the $50,000 Jack Betta Be Rite Handicap for New York-bred fillies and mares at Finger Lakes.
A two-time stakes winner at Saratoga's meet, Talking Treasure will be conceding her eight opponents five to 18 pounds as the 128-pound highweight in the 1 1/16-mile stakes. She carried 124 pounds when second in her first start this year in the six-furlong Susan B. Anthony.
Her stablemates Celestial Flight and New York Citi also appear to be her most dangerous opponents. Celestial Flight steps up to stakes company after winning back-to-back starts locally by a combined margin of nearly nine lengths. New York Citi owns a 5-for-6 record at Finger Lakes, but was beaten last time when she went five wide around both turns.
The field also includes Fly to Me, a 3 3/4-length winner in this stakes last year, and Sweet Lorena. An 11-time winner locally, Fly to Me comes off back-to-back narrow victories over Sweet Lorena, a sprinter who will be making her first start wearing blinkers and third attempt at a route.
Charles Town: Missacity Luke preps
Missacity Luke, winner of the West Virginia Dash for Cash Breeders Classic last fall, will tune up for a possible start in that same stakes next month when he heads the field for the $50,000 It's Only Money at Charles Town.
The 4 1/2-furlong It's Only Money, restricted to West Virginia-breds, is a local prep for the $125,000 Dash for Cash on Oct. 18.
The 7-year-old Missacity Luke has raced only once since March, opening up by 10 lengths in an easy win over $30,000 statebred claimers at Mountaineer last month. Since he was claimed for $6,500 by trainer Gary Dunlevy in June 2007, Missacity Luke has won 5 of 6 starts.
Two horses coming off layoffs may be the keenest competition for Missacity Luke. Malibu Falcon, a lightly raced 4-year-old who is 3 for 5 lifetime, and Henry the Lover, an easy winner of the Coin Collector in June, both excel in short sprints.