Finger Lakes

Small barns try to topple Smitten by Gold

Joe DeVivo|Sep 12, 2014

Tom Cooley Photography The 3-year-old filly Miss Rubycubes, with Pedro Rodriguez aboard, earns her first stakes victory in the New York Oaks.

A David vs. Goliath theme pervades Monday’s eighth race at Finger Lakes, a two-turn allowance for fillies and mares who have not won a race other than maiden, claiming, starter, or statebred this season.

Three low-profile trainers with very small strings of horses will try to defeat 8-5 morning-line favorite Smitten by Gold. A 5-year-old mare who exits back-to-back wins in allowances restricted to New York-breds, Smitten by Gold comes from the barn of Michael Ferraro, who has won a track-record 18 training titles at Finger :Lakes and ranks third in the current standings with 35 victories.

In contrast, Vincent Balzano is 1 for 3 since he began training Supsa this summer for Linda Balzano; Kathleen Babcock is 2 for 19 with a four-horse stable that includes stakes winner Miss Rubycubes; and Eileen Muller is 0 for 11 this year with the three horses she has started, including Color Blind.

Despite her credentials, Smitten by Gold may be vulnerable stretching out from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles. The last time she raced that distance, in early July, Smitten by Gold was done after a half-mile and was distanced in the Jack Betta Be Rite.

So perhaps Supsa, who won a pair of two-turn races last fall; Miss Rubycubes, who missed by a head going this same distance two starts ago; or Color Blind, who outperformed Smitten by Gold in the July 5 stakes, can spring an upset.

Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Smitten by Gold (Last 3 Beyers: 72-62-0)

Unlike her five opponents, Smitten by Gold has won twice against allowance competition this season, winning by daylight in a pair of sprints for New York-breds. Flopped when she tried 1 1/16 miles in the Jack Betta Be Rite three starts ago, but won back-to-back starts going two turns in the mud last year, including an allowance by nearly 13 lengths.

Supsa (Last 3 Beyers: 57-69-61)

Nine of her 11 wins have come at Finger Lakes, where she is 6 for 13 since Linda Balzano became her owner. Stretches out following a loss as the 8-5 favorite in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint. Won twice going two turns last season, including a 7 1/2-length score in a first-level allowance.

Miss Rubycubes (Last 3 Beyers: 33-75-0)

Mired in a 10-race losing streak since winning the New York Oaks in August 2013. Led until just before the wire two starts ago, producing a 75 Beyer that would make her dangerous in this spot. Likes to race on the lead, which is the same style of contenders Smitten by Gold and Supsa.

Color Blind (Last 3 Beyers: 69-68-71)

Stands to benefit if Smitten by Gold, Supsa, and Miss Rubycubes get involved in a hot, contested pace.. Only win in 14 starts over the past two seasons came in a two-turn statebred allowance in August 2013. Was beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Miss Rubycubes when they met a month ago.