Ava K, Bug Juice Top NY Bred Stakes Races

Ava K., recent winner of the Wandering Cloud overnight stakes, and Bug Juice, victorious in last year's New York Breeders' Futurity, head the fields for Sunday's New York-bred stakes offerings at Belmont Park, the $100,000 Bouwerie for 3-year-old fillies and the $100,000 Mike Lee for 3-year-olds.

The Bouwerie, at seven furlongs, will be run as race 6 while the Mike Lee, also at seven furlongs, is carded as race 9 of 10.

Ava K., who made her debut on January 9, won her first three starts facing state-breds at Aqueduct Racetrack by a combined margin of 15 ¾ lengths, and then finished third, beaten 4 ¼ lengths, as the favorite in the one-mile, Grade 3 Comely on April 9. Third again in open company in the Wanda overnight stakes on May 11, also at a mile, Ava K. returned to restricted company at Belmont on June 3 and was a sharp half-length winner in the Wandering Cloud, covering the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.60.

"We're going to keep her sprinting," said Mike Hushion, who trains the Dixie Union filly for Lewis Rappaport and Sugar Maple Farm. "She came back bright enough from her last race."

Ramon Dominguez rides the 7-5 morning-line favorite, high weight under 122 pounds, from post position 2.

The Bouwerie also drew the second- and third-place finishers from the Wandering Cloud, Miss Valentine, the 2-1 second choice on the morning line, and Hot Danger, along with Superior Sarah, a 4 ¾-length maiden winner on May 28, and Life's Measure and There Goes Molly, both making their stakes debuts.

Headlining the Mike Lee is Bug Juice, owned by Our Blue Streaks Stable and trained by Bruce Levine. He has made one start in 2011, leading to the quarter-pole before finishing third, beaten a length, in the Tom Ridge at Presque Isle Downs. The Mingun gelding was 3-0-1 from four starts against state-breds last fall, including a 10-length victory in the Futurity at Finger Lakes, before finishing sixth as the favorite in the Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs to close out his juvenile campaign.

Levine was pleased with Bug Juice's sophomore debut, and hopes the seven furlongs of the Mike Lee will serve as a litmus test for future plans.

"I thought it was a good race," said the trainer. "I'm not sure about seven-eighths or how far he wants to go. We'll see if he gets the seven, and if he does we'll try stretching him out."

The Mike Lee is the first race in the Big Apple Triple for New York-breds, which includes the 1 1/16-mile New York Derby at Finger Lakes on July 16 and the 1 1/8-mile Albany at Saratoga Race Course on August 24.

Javier Castellano rides Bug Juice, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, from post position 4.

Darrin's Dilemma, winner of three of four starts this year, comes off a one-length victory over favored Bold Deed in the June 5 Spectacular Bid division of the NYSS, his first outing on grass. Prior to that, the Freud colt, who totes high weight of 122 pounds in the Mike Lee, was a front-running winner of the NYSS on May 11 in his stakes debut going 6 ½ furlongs on the main track for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and owner Michael Dubb.

Cornelio Velasquez rides the 5-2 morning-line second choice from the rail.

Returning to state-bred company for the first time since New Year's Day is Preachintothedevil, most recently fourth in the A Gift overnight stakes on the turf on May 22. The Pulpit colt embarked on an ambitious campaign following his victory in the restricted Champagneforashley on January 1, finishing third and eighth to Toby's Corner in the Whirlaway and Grade 1 Wood Memorial at the Big A and sixth to eventual Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in the Grade 3 Spiral at Turfway.

"I think he'll welcome the return to New York-breds," said Gary Contessa, who trains Preachintothedevil for Crossed Sabres Farm.

Jose Lezcano has the mount on Preachintothedevil, 6-1 on the morning line, from post position 6.


Bound by Humor impressed new trainer Tom Albertrani in his first outing, zipping to a 6 ¼-length maiden win in the mud at Belmont on May 18, his fifth career start.

"He actually ran a lot better than I expected," said the trainer. "I wouldn't think he'd have to improve a whole lot off his last race. I think he fits well in the stakes."

The Distorted Humor colt, 0-2-0 from four starts as a juvenile, drew post position 3 at 9-2 on the morning line. Alan Garcia will ride.

Rounding out the field are Pin Number, third in an optional claimer in his most recent start at Belmont on June 5, and Tap Attack, second to Bold Deed in his most recent start against New York-breds, the Packett's Landing on April 10.

The field for the $100,000 Bouwerie:

The field for the $100,000 Mike Lee: