Idyll Gossip juicy as choice in Shesastonecoldfox

Monday’s $45,000 Shesastonecoldfox Stakes at Finger Lakes, a six-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies, is named for a prominent Finger Lakes-based filly who ripped through, among other stakes, the New York Breeders’ Futurity against colts in a stellar juvenile campaign.

Idyll Gossip lost her own chance at last month’s edition of the Breeders’ Futurity when she slammed into a foe at the start, rushed up to press the pace, and faded badly to finish sixth. But she’s back for another stakes try, and if she puts it all together, she could cap her campaign with a speedy score worthy of the race’s namesake.

Idyll Gossip showed extreme greenness in her career debut in July when she bolted and lost her rider while leading by open lengths. She was a less-vibrant shade of green while winning her maiden next time out, despite breaking awkwardly and bearing out in places. She then showed her quality while finishing third in the Lady Finger Stakes, a local prep for the Breeders’ Futurity.

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Idyll Gossip is well drawn on the rail here and should flash speed. Iff she overcomes her habit of getting away poorly, she could put this one away early.

Idyll Gossip has consistently posted numbers that stand out in this field, with a Beyer Speed Figure of 57 for her maiden win, 55 in the Lady Finger, and a 51 despite being well beaten in the Breeders’ Futurity. She is one of just two fillies in this field of eight to break a 50, and the other did so at a lower level. Brooklyn Rhapsody has won both her career starts for a tag, most recently posting a 53 for winning a claiming race in October at Delaware.

The only other filly in this field with stakes experience is Who’s Got the Tip, who was sixth in the Lady Finger. Debut winners April Storm, Honorable Becky, and Queen Atlas all make their second starts here. Maiden winner Bald Kitten and the maiden I’m Pretty Good complete the field of eight.

Shesastonecoldfox won her first four career starts in 2001, including the Lady Finger and New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes, and the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes for statebreds at Belmont Park by a combined 26 lengths. Stepping far up in class, she set the early pace in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies before tiring and being eased. She came back to be stakes-placed locally as a 3-year-old.

The mare’s influence has continued through a number of stakes performers she produced as a broodmare – including local heroes in 2012 New York Derby winner Fox Rules and 2013 New York Breeders’ Futurity winner Fox Rox – and through her namesake race.

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