Russell's meet can get a whole lot better with win in Dancin Renee Stakes
ELMONT, N.Y. – Her first foray into New York racing is still in its infancy, but trainer Brittany Russell is satisfied with how things have gone this spring at Belmont Park.
Russell, whose main string is based in Maryland, has about 10 head in New York and has a win, two seconds, and three thirds from eight starters at the Belmont spring/summer meet. She came excruciatingly close to her second win on Sunday when her front-running Defy Expectations was run down late by Jill’s a Hot Mess in a $30,000 claiming race.
“That was painful to watch,” Russell said Wednesday from Maryland. “Still, the horses are doing well. My assistant up there, Amanda Olds, is doing a really good job. I have a good team. Hopefully, we can keep it going through the summer and win a few more.”
Russell’s win at this meet came with Fierce Lady, who won a New York-bred allowance here May 14 by 2 1/4 lengths. That effort, her first start in seven months and first for Russell, earned Fierce Lady a shot in Saturday’s $100,000 Dancin Renee Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares at six furlongs. Fierce Lady had a very good setup in her last race and won going away under Trevor McCarthy.
“Trevor rode her great,” Russell said. “We had her sit behind horses and have a target to run at. She was freshened up and that was just what she needed. I was just lucky enough to get a real healthy horse in the barn.”
With McCarthy now riding in Southern California, Luis Saez has picked up the mount on Fierce Lady.
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Among the horses Fierce Lady is expected to face in the Dancin Renee are Eloquent Speaker, Ruvies in Time, Sadie Lady, Good Credence, and Espresso Shot, who was supplemented to the race.
Russell expects to have about 10 horses stabled in Saratoga this summer.