You Jane tough foe for NYRA shippers in Arctic Queen
It’s no surprise that two of the top contenders in the $50,000 Arctic Queen Stakes at Finger Lakes on Friday are based downstate at New York Racing Association tracks. That is par for the course in stakes at Finger Lakes.
But the Arctic Queen does not look like easy pickings, as several local runners are coming off sharp wins and could have a big say in the outcome of the six-furlong race for New York-bred fillies and mares.
You Jane has won two straight allowance races at Finger Lakes. Two starts back, she rallied from just off the pace to beat fellow Arctic Queen entrant Smitten by Gold by 1 3/4 lengths. Smitten by Gold came right back to win herself.
You Jane has since won again, earning a 78 Beyer Speed Figure that fits well against this group. A 5-year-old daughter of Hook and Ladder owned by Chester and Mary Broman and trained by Christopher Progno, You Jane is 7 for 18 in her career and 7 for 13 at Finger Lakes after having made her first five starts at Aqueduct.
The downstate shippers are Atlantic’s Smile, trained by Charlton Baker, who successfully races at both Finger Lakes and the NYRA tracks, and Uncle Southern, conditioned by Linda Rice.
Atlantic’s Smile will be making her first start since March, while Uncle Southern has not fared well in statebred stakes downstate in her two races this year.
◗ Saturday is Jockeys Across America Day, and riders at Finger Lakes will donate mount fees and sign autographs to support the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Arctic Queen, race 4
Key Contenders
You Jane (Last 3 Beyers: 78-68-58)
◗ It’s a bit surprising that Oscar Gomez gets off You Jane to ride Uncle Southern. Gomez has ridden You Jane in 12 of her 13 Finger Lakes starts and has been aboard for all seven of her wins.
Atlantic’s Smile (Last 3 Beyers: 75-84-85)
◗ Atlantic’s Smile has worked six times since June 9 for her comeback. Baker sent her to Finger Lakes for her most recent work July 23.
◗ She finished second in three straight races before going to the sidelines and now is 16-4-6-0 in her career. She may benefit from the freshening.
Uncle Southern (Last 3 Beyers: 28-70-80)
◗ Has good early lick and may be ready to rebound after chasing her brilliant stablemate, La Verdad, and tiring to seventh in the Dancin Renee Stakes at Belmont Park on June 28.
Smitten by Gold (Last 3 Beyers: 79-65-80)
◗ Comes from off the pace at this distance and could get the right trip if You Jane, Atlantic’s Smile, and Uncle Southern hook upon the front end.