Litfin's preview: Cash contenders star in NY Stallion Series

Monmouth Park-based trainer Russell Cash ships in with contenders in both divisions of Monday’s $100,000 New York Stallion Series scheduled for one mile on the inner turf.

In the male division (race 3), Cash brings back Social Rebellion for another crack at Mark My Way and Free Mugatu. Those three were separated by less than two lengths in a seven-furlong N.Y. Stallion event June 22 at Belmont, and Social Rebellion, who was 24-1 that day, will be a shorter price in an eight-horse field.

Cash has the one to beat in the filly division (race 6) with Old Harbor, who unleashed an explosive late run with blinkers off to win her N.Y. Stallion heat June 22. Significantly, Old Harbor ran the seven panels in 1:20.97 seconds, more than a full second faster than Mark My Way’s 1:22.19 a few races earlier.

Seven fillies Old Harbor beat downstate are back again. The lightly raced Lady Kreesa, a half-sister to multiple turf stakes winner King Kreesa, is perhaps the one with the best chance to improve as she adds blinkers for her second start against winners.

Double the Energy the one to catch in race 8

Still more New York-bred turf runners go in race 8, an $85,000 allowance for fillies and mares also scheduled for a mile on the inner course.

Linda Rice could be sitting on a big day. Not only does the 2009 Saratoga training titlist have Mark My Way and Miss Narcissist in the N.Y. Stallion races, she also sends out probable pacesetter Double the Energy in this spot.

Double the Energy has run only once this year, when she set up shop on an easy lead June 15 at Belmont and held on to score at seven furlongs.

Vicki’s Dancer, Unbelievable Dream, Stock Fund, and Frosty Bay finished in that order behind Double the Energy that day. Any or all of them stand to benefit in this longer rematch provided more pace pressure is applied by Lady Luciano, who stretches out and tries turf for the first time.

Horses to watch

LUCKY LEROY BROWN
Trainer: Linda Rice
Last race: Aug. 2, 3rd
Finish: 4th by 4 3/4
Beyer: 51

This debuting 2-year-old turf router rated along in mid-pack while saving ground and was moving into contention in the stretch and caught in tight quarters through the last eighth of a mile.

ROYAL SON
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last race: Aug. 2, 5th
Finish: 2nd by 1
Beyer: 71

Tiznow colt was hustled up from the rail to get the early lead under pressure, dropped back to third around the turn and re-rallied inside in a promising debut.