Ice Cool Kitty streaks into Floral Park

ELMONT, N.Y. It's not your father's Floral Park. The Grade 3 Floral Park Handicap was discontinued this year after a 12-year run, and Thursday's race of the same name is a $75,000 overnight stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares at seven furlongs.

Heading the field of eight is Ice Cool Kitty, a 4-year-old trained by Richard Dutrow Jr. who has won 4 of her last 5 starts, and four straight in New York. Her main opposition figures to be Talking Treasure, a 3-year-old who has won stakes this year at Belmont, Saratoga, and Finger Lakes.

The field also includes Scatkey, Karakorum Starlet, and Precise Lady, the two-three-four finishers in the recent Schenectady Handicap behind the Dutrow-trained Oprah Winney, who is bound for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

Also entered are the 3-year-old Becky's Flute; deep closer Street Sass; and Stolen Star, who was defeated by Ice Cool Kitty in two stakes during the summer.

Talking Treasure, whose 3-for-3 record at Thursday's distance includes the Bouwerie here in May, is fresh off an easy triumph in the New York Oaks. However, she has yet to meet a rival as talented as Ice Cool Kitty, who is 5 for 7 this year and has been recording Beyer Speed Figures in the mid-90s on a regular basis.

A good effort would likely propel the two fillies into the $125,000 Iroquois Handicap on New York Showcase Day, Oct. 20.

Thursday's opener is an exceptionally tough starter handicap that marks the return of Sir Greeley, who had a chip removed from a hind ankle following a runner-up finish in last winter's Grade 3 Deputy Minister Handicap.

"I don't know if first off the layoff is his best, but I expect him to run well," said Jimmy Jerkens. "The six and a half furlongs is good for him."

Indeed, Sir Greeley recorded a 110 Beyer winning a third-level allowance at this distance here back in September 2005.

Sir Greeley has a series of sharp works, capped by a best-of-31 bullet on Sunday.

Also in the race are Callmetony and Indian War Dance, each five-time winners at Belmont, and 16-time winner Morine's Victory.