Sistercharlie continues comeback in New York Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – The Grade 1 Jenny Wiley in April at Keeneland was supposed to be just a starting point for Sistercharlie, who hadn’t run in nine months owing to a severe lung infection.

But if Sistercharlie is supposed to improve off that effort then she figures to be a force in the older filly and mare turf division all year for trainer Chad Brown and owner Peter Brant.

On Friday, Sistercharlie makes her second start of 2018 as a probable heavy favorite in the Grade 2, $600,000 New York Stakes at 1 1/4 miles. The New York is the richest race on an 11-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m. Eastern and features four other stakes.

Sistercharlie, an Irish-bred daughter of Myboycharlie, came to the U.S. last summer and finished a fast-closing second to the Brown-trained New Money Honey in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks on July 8. A lung infection precipitated time off and ultimately plans were scrapped for the rest of 2017.

On April 14 in an 11-horse Jenny Wiley at 1 1/16 miles, Sistercharlie raced between horses, saved ground around the turn, tipped into the four path in upper stretch, and galloped to a 2 1/4-length victory under John Velazquez.

“Going shorter than she really wants to go, it was really impressive the turn of foot she showed,” Brown said. “She gives me the feeling she’ll be just as effective going longer.”

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Fourstar Crook finished second to Sistercharlie as part of a 1-2-3 finish for Brown in the Jenny Wiley, and she returns in the New York. Fourstar Crook is an overachiever who is 5 for 6 over Belmont’s turf, though all those wins came in New York-bred company.

She did win the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs to kick off her 6-year-old campaign before finishing second in the Jenny Wiley.

“I always thought she wanted to stay a mile and a quarter,” Brown said. “I think she still needs to prove that. She’s a real consistent horse, obviously, solid mare that brings her best race every time. She’ll have a tall order beating Sistercharlie, but I think she deserves a chance to run in the race.”

Mom’s On Strike and Daddys Lil Darling finished 1-2 in the Grade 2 Bewitch going 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland. For Mom’s On Strike, that was her fifth win in her last six starts and first in a graded race.

Trainer Ken McPeek said he is happy to get Daddys Lil Darling back to 1 1/4 miles considering she won the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita at that distance last December.

“We’ve been waiting for this race,” McPeek said. “I do think it’s an ideal spot for her and I’m pretty encouraged by how she’s doing.”

The New York, one of seven turf races on the 11-race program, goes as race 9 and is the first leg of a double wager that links to Saturday’s Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap with a guaranteed pool of $100,000.

KEY CONTENDERS

Sistercharlie, by Myboycharlie
Beyers: 104-88-NA

◗ A Group 1-placed runner in Europe last year, she kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with an eye-catching victory in the Jenny Wiley off a nine-month layoff.

◗ Just missed by a neck in last year’s Belmont Oaks going 1 1/4 miles over this turf.

◗ Has been working with A Raving Beauty (two works back) and Fourstar Crook (last work).

Holy Helena, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 93-93-83

◗ Has gone 3 for 3 on turf, including a half-length victory while rallying behind a slow pace in the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay at 1 3/8 miles here May 5.

“She was relentless,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said of her performance that day.

◗ Canadian-bred filly defeated males in last year’s Queen’s Plate going this distance over Woodbine’s synthetic surface.

Fourstar Crook, by Freud
Last 3 Beyers: 99-97-98

◗ New York-bred beat Proctor’s Ledge in Grade 2 Hillsborough. Proctor’s Ledge won the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile last out.

◗ Her only try at 1 1/4 miles came over soft turf, when she finished third in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor, running back on short rest.

Mom’s On Strike, by First Dude
Last 3 Beyers: 96-85-96

◗ Rapidly improving mare has won five of her last six starts, including the Grade 2 Bewitch by 3 1/4 lengths over Daddys Lil Darling.

“She’s really confident right now,” trainer Joe Sharp said.

Daddys Lil Darling, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 92-95-94

◗ Last time she raced at 1 1/4 miles, she won the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita. Mike Smith was aboard that day and for her second in the Bewitch, and is back on again.

◗ Finished two lengths behind Sistercharlie in fourth in last year’s Belmont Oaks.