New York-bred juveniles in stakes doubleheader

The $114,213 Aspirant Stakes and the $108,775 Lady Finger Stakes for fillies, both six-furlong sprints for New York-bred juveniles, share top billing on Monday’s nine-race card at Finger Lakes. The races serve as local preps for the $200,000 New York Breeders’ Futurity on Sept. 30, the richest race of the Finger Lakes season.

Locally based Disco Deano steps up to stakes company to defend his home track against some stakes-seasoned competitors from the New York Racing Association circuit in the Aspirant. Trained and co-owned by Anthony Ferraro, Disco Deano ventured to Saratoga to finish fourth against statebreds in a maiden special weight. Three weeks later, on Aug. 27 at Finger Lakes, he rolled by 10 3/4 lengths to win his maiden with a Beyer Speed Figure of 60. Jaime Rodriguez, aboard for both starts, retains the mount Monday.

Listentoyourheart, with Manny Franco in the irons for Christophe Clement, comes off a pair of statebred stakes placings at Saratoga. After winning his debut at Belmont with a Beyer of 69, the top figure in the Aspirant field, the colt was edged by a nose in the Rick Violette Stakes on a sloppy Saratoga track on July 17, then finished third in the Funny Cide Stakes on Aug. 23.

Mission Wrapitup was fourth in the Violette and seventh in the Funny Cide. Finger Lakes maiden winner A Maize Zing Rip, the maidens Honor Thy Secret, Inside Info, and Pacquiao, and debut starter Let Me Call Joe complete the field.

Earlier on the card, My Italian Rabbi looms an imposing presence in the Lady Finger. The Jeremiah Englehart trainee was a debut winner at Belmont, then nosed out Fierce Lady to win the Stillwater Stakes on July 18 at Saratoga. Fierce Lady turned the tables to win the Seeking the Ante Stakes on Aug. 23, with My Italian Rabbi third. Rodriguez will be aboard My Italian Rabbi for the first time in the Lady Finger.

Copper Gem has won twice from five career starts, all on synthetic surfaces and for trainer Ron Potts Jr. She finished third in the My Dear Stakes in July at Woodbine.

Linda Rice sends in Light in the Sky, who was a turf maiden winner at Saratoga. The maidens Princess Tapit and Single Verse complete the field.