Lake finds right spot for Lefty's Lady

MIAMI - There are many reasons why Scott Lake's name is regularly listed at or near the top of the national trainer rankings for races won each season, not the least of which is his ability to read a condition book and place horses where they have the best chance to win.

Lake, whose 405 victories through Monday put him second behind Steve Asmussen for wins in 2005, has given himself a good chance to add to that number Friday, when he sends out Lefty's Lady as the likely favorite in a second-level optional claiming and allowance race at Calder. The one-mile race for fillies and mares offers a $26,000 purse.

won a second-level allowance race two starts back at Delaware on Oct. 24, rallying from just off the pace to score a three-length victory. She will run in virtually the same spot here Friday, and Lake is taking full advantage of the optional claiming portion of the conditions by entering her under a $25,000 price tag.

Even if somebody reaches in and claims Lefty's Lady, her owner, the Acclaimed Racing Stable, will come away showing a nice profit. A 4-year-old filly, Lefty's Lady has already posted two victories, two seconds, and a third since Lake claimed her for $30,000 out of a win on the turf at Gulfstream on April 3.

Robbie Alvarado Jr., who guided Lefty's Lady to her most recent victory, will be back aboard Friday.

Trainer Joe Calascibetta may not be among the national leaders in races won, but he regularly sports a high win percentage on the local front and, like Lake, has found a sweet spot for Wicklow Vamp in Friday's main event.

has already won two similar optional claiming and allowance races since late June, both one-sided victories. She even stepped up a notch to beat third-level optional claiming and allowance company on Oct. 9. But by entering Wicklow Vamp for a $25,000 claiming price, Calascibetta can run Wicklow Vamp at this condition.

Calascibetta's biggest concern may be finding a jockey to replace Manoel Cruz, who was named at time of entry but won't be available to ride.

The remainder of the field comprises Grecian Lover, Mysterious Light, Don't Say No Sierra, Prospector's Bride, Tasha Sange, Groomeroma, Marnesia Light, and Runaway Rizzi.