Without unbeaten Classy Edition in field, Shesawildjoker steps to fore in Franklin Square

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Dissatisfied with the way she has been training recently, the connections of unbeaten Classy Edition did not enter her Wednesday for Saturday’s $100,000 Franklin Square Stakes, creating a bit of a wide-open running of the 6 1/2-furlong race for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies at Aqueduct.

Classy Edition, trained by Todd Pletcher for Robert and Lawana Low, has won her three starts, including the Joseph A. Gimma and Key Cents stakes, by a combined 18 1/4 lengths. On Wednesday, however, assistant trainer Byron Hughes said Classy Edition “just needs to train a little better” before she makes her next start.

:: Join DRF Bets and play the races with a $250 First Deposit Bonus. Click to learn more.

The absence of Classy Edition left a field of nine field that includes eight maiden winners as well as Shesawildjoker, winner of the Shesastonecoldfox Stakes at Finger Lakes in October. Shesawildjoker sandwiched that win in between two third-place finishes to Classy Edition in the Gimma and Key Cents.

Though she was favored in the Shesastonecoldfox, Shesawildjoker was sent off at 38-1 in the Key Cents and was beaten 3 3/4 lengths.

“I was surprised she was that big [a price],” trainer David Donk said. “What I’ve done the last couple of times is try to teach her to rate a little bit. She just can’t continue to wing it, show speed and stop. She’ll be competitive.”

Jorge Vargas will ride Shesawildjoker in the Franklin Square.

Thinking It Over, Sterling Silver, Moam, and Meraviglioso each won her debut will be making her second start in the Franklin Square.

Leeloo, Sandy’s Garden, Thin Legs, and Flip My Id complete the field.

Interborough fails to fill

There were not enough entries for the $100,000 Interborough Stakes to be carded for Saturday as scheduled. Only three of 18 nominated runners were entered in the race, which held its 100th running last year.

The racing office has brought back the seven-furlong race for fillies and mares as an extra for Sunday, entries for which are taken Thursday.

Geno targets Gander

Geno, winner of the $500,000 Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Series on Dec. 5, is pointing to the $100,000 Gander Stakes for New York-breds going a mile on Feb. 12.

Geno hasn’t worked back since the Great White Way, in large part because of track condition. Over the last two weeks, the Belmont training track has been closed twice due to bad weather.

“I’ll breeze some day when we get a good track,” said David Donk, trainer of Geno. “I only need a couple of breezes. I don’t need to do a whole lot with him. The weather’s been pretty challenging as far as breezing goes in the mornings, but he’s doing well.”