Sherine rebounds in Comely

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The connections of Sherine had several stakes options from which to choose for their New York-bred 3-year-old filly this weekend. In the end, they chose the most challenging and, as it turned out, the most rewarding.

Last as the favorite in the listed Dearly Precious Stakes in February, Sherine rebounded as the longest shot in the field to win Saturday's Grade 2, $150,000 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct.

Under Alan Garcia, Sherine dueled inside of Lady Chace through six furlongs in 1:11.20, but put that rival away turning for home and was never seriously threatened in the stretch, defeating Ready for Fortune by two lengths. It was a neck back to Elusive Lady, who finished a neck in front of Zaftig, the surprising 7-5 favorite. Lady Chace finished last.

Sherine covered the mile in 1:37.25 over a fast main track and returned $28.60 to win.

Sherine, a daughter of Precise End, was eligible for two other stakes this weekend in which she probably would have been among the favorites. But Sobhy Sonbol, the racing manager for owner Ahmed Zayat, chose the Comely over Saturday's listed Lizzy Cool or Sunday's $100,000 Park Avenue for progeny of New York-based stallions.

"I knew Sobhy was looking forward to the Comely and I said 'You know what? Sherine is really doing fantastic I'm going to go with you, I'm not going to stand in her way,' " said trainer Tony Dutrow, who had been leaning toward the Lizzy Cool. "Maybe something good will happen. I'm going to give Sherine the opportunity for something good to happen."

With seven starts under her belt, Sherine was the most experienced member of the field, and Dutrow thought he could take advantage of that as well as her speed and inside post position.

Lizzy Cool: Weathered upsets

Weathered, in tight along the rail down the backside, split horses at the five-sixteenths pole under Mike Luzzi and outfinished Mikeslittlegirl to take the $66,500 Lizzy Cool Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths. Mikeslittlegirl held second by five lengths over Psycho DJ. Meriwhether Jessica, the even-money favorite, finished fourth.

Weathered, a New York-bred daughter of Key Contender owned by Ed Shapoff and trained by Maryland-based Karl Grunsmark, ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.82 and returned $14. She has now won 4 of 5 career starts.