Sir Greeley proven force off short rest

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Sir Greeley has put forth a number of performances that are good enough to win stakes. Problem is, he hasn't put out one of those efforts in a stakes race.

Wednesday, Sir Greeley gets another opportunity to score his first stakes victory when he meets five rivals in the $65,000 Fly So Free, an overnight stakes for 3-year-olds that have never won an open-company stakes. The Fly So Free, run at six furlongs, shares billing on a nine-race card that also includes the $65,000 Coyote Lakes, run at 1 5/8 miles.

is running just 13 days after finishing fourth in the Fall Highweight Handicap on Thanksgiving. He was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Attila's Storm that day, despite racing in close quarters in the middle of the race.

"Usually when he's inside and there's lot of traffic he doesn't run well," trainer Jimmy Jerkens said. "I thought he ran very good that day. He should be a little better breaking from the outside."

Sir Greeley will break from post 5 in the six-horse field.

Though running back on short notice, Sir Greeley has shown the ability to do well under such circumstances. In April, he won twice in an eight-day span. In August, he won a second-level allowance race at Saratoga by 9 1/2 lengths just 15 days after finishing fourth in a grass stakes.

"He'd rather run a little more often than train hard in between," Jerkens said.

The two worst races Sir Greeley ever has run came over the inner track last winter. However, that was before he was gelded.

"I hope he doesn't remember [those races]," said Jerkens, who has chosen Mike Luzzi to ride.

are restricted stakes winners. Byanosejoe, owned in part by New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, has won his last two starts, including the Trippi Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths in October. Last winter, Byanosejoe went 2 for 3 over the inner track, with both wins coming at six furlongs. Eibar Coa rides Byanosejoe from post 4.

Pavo won the City Zip Stakes over the inner track last December, but has lost nine consecutive races. Alan Garcia rides Pavo from post 6.

Kohut has won 4 of his last 5 races, but might be inhibited from his inside post because he doesn't appear fast enough to get the lead in this group. Magic Alphabet has shown speed against cheaper while Tashdeed would be the biggest beneficiary of a hotly contested pace.