Wavell Avenue tries to turn things around in Gallant Bloom

ELMONT, N.Y. – Last year, Wavell Avenue used a good second-place finish in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at Belmont Park as a springboard to a 10-1 upset in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

On Saturday, she will again try to convince her connections to head to the Breeders’ Cup when she again runs in the Gallant Bloom Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Wavell Avenue is only 1 for 5 this year, that win coming in the Shine Again Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 3. She is coming off a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga.

Wavell Avenue drew post 6 in a seven-horse field that includes a trio of New York-breds – Hot City Girl, Wonder Gal, and Quezon – as well as Paulassilverlining, Fusaichi Red, and Momameamaria.

Lucy N Ethel, the undefeated winner of the Grade 2 Prioress in her last start, was denied entry by the New York stewards.

Steve Lewandowski, the steward for the New York State Gaming Commission, said there’s an ongoing investigation into who is actually training Lucy N Ethel. Chloe Bradley was the listed trainer when Lucy N Ethel upset the Prioress at 22-1. Ramon Preciado, who is facing suspensions for multiple clenbuterol positives, had been the filly’s previous trainer and is the one who tried to enter her Wednesday.

The New Jersey Gaming Commission on Tuesday suspended Bradley’s license for 45 days and fined her $1,500 after it determined that she was not in control of Lucy N Ethel when she entered the horse in the Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth in August.

◗ Oscar Performance, a 10 1/4-length maiden winner at Saratoga, tops a field of nine 2-year-olds entered in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Pilgrim Stakes, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The others entered for turf are Bird’s Eye View, Bookew Bucks, Frostmourne, J.S. Choice, Kitten’s Cat, My Bo Chop, Oiseau de Guerre, and Sir Douglas. Thirst for Victory and Cohen’s Cat were entered for the main track only.