Jean Elizabeth has speed, hot trainer in her corner

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Chicago trainer Larry Rivelli said on the popular “At the Races with Steve Byk” radio show that he hopes to make the trip to Woodbine to saddle the speedy Jean Elizabeth in Sunday’s $100,000 Ruling Angel Stakes. That might be reason enough to give her a big shot in the Tapeta sprint for 3-year-old fillies.

Rivelli through Thursday had won with 100 of his 323 starts this year, a 31 percent win rate.

Jean Elizabeth has won six of nine starts, including three Polytrack scores this year at Arlington. Most recently, she led until the final strides over a sloppy strip in the seven-furlong Dogwood Stakes at Churchill and finished a close third.

Rivelli said he was pondering the Grade 2 Raven Run on Oct 20 at Keeneland for Jean Elizabeth, but has opted for the 6 1/2-furlong Ruling Angel because of the synthetic surface and caliber of competition.

“I ran her in the race at Churchill to see if she’d like the dirt, and she ran good,” Rivelli said. “I was thinking about the Raven Run, but it would be a tougher spot. This race came up good. We’re the favorite. She loves the Polytrack. We’re going to keep her there. She’s had a real good career, and she’s only 3. I’m excited about the race. We’re going to fly up there for the race if we can.”

A field of eight was drawn for the 6 1/2-furlong Ruling Angel, including an array of shippers.

KEY CONTENDERS

Jean Elizabeth, by Adios Charlie

Last 3 Beyers: 82-83-83

◗ Rivelli broke out of a slump at Woodbine when he sent out Dom the Bomb to win the nightcap last Monday.

Glamanation, by Point of Entry

Last 3 Beyers: 85-50-67

◗ After finishing up the course in the 10-furlong Wonder Where Stakes, she made her second start for leading trainer Norm McKnight a winning one in a six-furlong allowance three weeks ago. McKnight appears to have found her niche as a closing sprinter.

Win the War, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 56-82-81

◗ She looked like a world-beater in her 11-length tally in the 2017 Glorious Song Stakes. Following a long layoff, she was a workmanlike winner of the Duchess Stakes here, and then finished far back most recently in the Grade 2 Prioress on the dirt at Saratoga.

“We’re just bringing her back there trying to get her back on track,” trainer Mark Casse said. “Ultimately, I’m going to run her on the turf. I think she’ll probably end up being a good turf horse.”

Devine Mischief, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 60-73-77

◗ The dirt specialist from Kentucky is making her first synthetic track start. She breezed a half-mile in 50.60 over Keeneland’s Polytrack training track last Sunday for trainer Joe Sharp.