Stablemate could benefit if Bustin It scratches from New York Breeders’ Futurity

Sometimes the best-laid plans go up in smoke.

Owner-trainer Michael Mareina has been pointing his ultra-quick 2-year-old Bustin It to the New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes for months. The colt is a generous even-money favorite on the morning line for the $252,098 race but in all likelihood is going to have to scratch.

“He started coughing a few days ago, and it looks like he’s going to have to come out of the race,” Mareina said Thursday morning. “He’s got a little mucus. The weather has been fluctuating up here at Saratoga, and there is a lot of pollen and stuff in the air.”

The New York Breeders’ Futurity on Saturday is the richest race of the Finger Lakes season, and there is a pair of $50,000 statebred stakes on the undercard. When entries were taken Wednesday, Mareina hoped Bustin It would be able to race, but he entered Thank You as a backup in the six-furlong Futurity.

“We were pointing Thank You to the mile race on Showcase Day at Belmont, but now that our franchise player has to sit on the bench, he’s going to have to step up,” Mareina said.

Thank You is still a maiden after four starts at Belmont and Saratoga, but the 65 Beyer Speed Figure he earned in finishing second in his last out puts him in the hunt Saturday.

“He’s been screaming for more distance,” Mareina said, “but I think the pace scenario might set up for him if they go banging heads early. Also, he’s by Congrats and loves mud, and there’s rain in the forecast.”

If Bustin It scratches, Pierce’s Prize may be the horse to beat for trainer James Ryerson. Although still a maiden, Pierce’s Prize finished a clear second to Saratoga Heater last time out. Saratoga Heater came out to score a four-length, front-running win in the $150,000 Bertram Bongard for statebreds at Belmont on Sept. 21.

Summer Brother, trained by M. Anthony Ferraro, and the filly Dunn Listening, trained by Gary Contessa, also figure prominently. Summer Brother rallied from midpack in a six-horse field to finish second, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the $127,063 Aspirant at Finger Lakes on Sept. 6. He earned a 52 Beyer.

That same day, Dunn Listening rallied from seventh in a 14-horse lineup to win the $141,675 Lady Finger by a head. She earned a 63 Beyer.

Rice has three in Arctic Queen

Trainer Linda Rice holds a strong hand in the $50,000 Arctic Queen on the Futurity undercard.

Uncle Southern looks like the best of Rice’s three entrants in the six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, but her other two runners had a race over the track in August, when they finished one-two in the Niagara Stakes.

Uncle Southern comes into the Arctic Queen off two Saratoga wins over sloppy tracks. She won a second-level statebred optional claimer July 31 and then scored a front-running victory in the Union Avenue Stakes on Aug. 21.

Champagne Ruby is 2 for 2 at Finger Lakes. She won the Niagara by 2 3/4 lengths in her most recent start and the Shesastonecoldfox here last year.

Miss Narcissist was favored over Champagne Ruby in the Niagara but had to settle for second after setting the pace.

◗ The $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial, for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs, has attracted a wide-open group of seven, six of whom are based at Finger Lakes. The lone shipper is I’m Stoked, whom trainer Mike Hushion sent in to win the George W. Barker Stakes in May.