Lakeside Sunset returns to dirt for Niagara
Lakeside Sunset will be switching from turf to dirt for the $50,000 Niagara Stakes at Finger Lakes on Friday but still looks like the horse to beat in the six-furlong sprint for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies.
Lakeside Sunset, trained by Bruce Brown, most recently finished fifth in the open Coronation Cup at Saratoga. Brown also entered Fenwick Hall but is expected to scratch her, which would leave a 10-horse field. Shaun Bridgmohan is named to ride Lakeside Sunset.
Fellow downstate runners Hard to Stay Notgo, trained by Jimmy Jerkens, and Take Issue, trained by Steve Asmussen, figure to offer Lakeside Sunset her sternest challenges.
Lakeside Sunset made her first five starts on dirt and her two most recent starts on grass. She was fifth behind easy Coronation Cup winner Lady Shipman on Aug. 3 and before that was third, beaten two lengths as the favorite by the 4-year-old Lady Kreesa, in a statebred second-level optional-claiming race at seven furlongs.
Lakeside Sunset is fast and might be difficult to catch if she can clear Hard to Stay Notgo early.
The Niagara is race 5 and has an approximate post time of 2:23 p.m. Eastern.
KEY CONTENDERS
Lakeside Sunset (Last 3 Beyers: 75-79-69)
◗ This will be her eighth start of the year after not having raced at 2. She will be coming back on 11 days’ rest and making her third start in 32 days.
Hard to Stay Notgo (Last 3 Beyers: 65-56-84)
◗ She earned her career-best Beyer Speed Figure three starts back while winning the Franklin Square Stakes in February at Aqueduct.
◗ After finishing fourth in the Cicada Stakes in March, she was off for two months before finishing sixth in an open, second-level optional-claiming race. She comes into this race off five works and a three-month layoff.
◗ Angel Arroyo, who was aboard for her Franklin Square win, comes in from Saratoga to ride.
Take Issue (Last 3 Beyers: 59-24-76)
◗ This late-running filly should get a nice setup in this race since there are other speed horses entered in addition to Lakeside Sunset and Hard to Stay Notgo.
◗ She closed from well back to upset a New York stallion stakes three starts ago in April.
Shangala (Last 3 Beyers: 70-71-77)
◗ She has the home-field advantage and has won her last three starts at Finger Lakes. She has a 5-1-1 record from seven local starts.
◗ She has won on the lead and from just off the pace. She could work out a nice trip if she can settle off the early leaders.