One More Act streaking into Jack Betta Be Rite Stakes

On Monday at Finger Lakes, One More Act will try to win her fifth consecutive race and her second stakes in a row in the $50,000 Jack Betta Be Rite, a 1 1/16-mile race for New York-bred fillies and mares.

One More Act is trained by Michael Ferraro, who at age 77 is having another fine meet at the upstate New York track. After starting out as a groom, Ferraro began training at Finger Lakes in 1971. Along the way, he has won 18 local training titles and more than 3,100 races. He is 28 for 118 at this year’s meet.

The 4-year-old One More Act was bred by the Stonewall Farm of Barry Schwartz, who raced her at Finger Lakes with Ferraro at 2. Ferraro bought her from Schwartz after the 2014 meet.

“At the end of the season, Barry will decide which ones he wants to sell,” Ferraro said. “She had a nice-size chip in a knee at the end of her 2-year-old season, but I liked her and told him I’d like to buy her and have it operated on.”

Ferraro said he sent One More Act to Cornell University for surgery and then gave her seven months off. She went 5 for 7 last year while facing allowance company.

“She’s come back superb,” Ferraro said. “As a 2-year-old, I knew she’d be a good distance filly.”

Ferraro gave One More Act last winter off, and she returned to the races last month to win the Proud Puppy Handicap by almost five lengths.

On Monday, One More Act’s main rival will be Sheriffa, whom trainer Linda Rice sends in from Saratoga.

Jack Betta Be Rite, Race 8

Key Contenders

One More Act, by Patriot Act
Last 3 Beyers: 74-64-77

◗ She has won six of her last seven starts, with her only loss during that span a fourth-place finish over the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs last September.

“There were some nice horses in there,” Ferraro said. “It’s a different kind of surface, too. I think if I had her there a while, she’d be fine on it, but it’s tough the first time.”

Sheriffa, by Posse
Last 3 Beyers: 45-55-81

◗ A six-time winner and an earner of more than $400,000, she has been freshened since finishing ninth in the $200,000 Critical Eye at Belmont Park on May 30. She will be taking a significant drop in class here.

Dark Desire, by Chief Seattle
Last 3 Beyers: 74-67-73

◗ Also owned and trained by Ferraro, she has finished third in all three of her starts this year. Now 8, this is her sixth season in Ferraro’s barn. The Jack Betta Be Rite will be her stakes debut.