Biancone Has Long Face

Like the rest of the millions of residents along the East Coast, trainer Patrick Biancone has his eye on this weekend’s weather.

With Robert Trussell’s Long Face scheduled to make her career debut in Saturday’s Junior Champion Stakes, the conditioner is hoping the impacts of the approaching Hurricane Irene won’t make it to the Jersey Shore until late Saturday afternoon.

A 2-year-old filly by Whywhywhy, Long Face is scheduled to face eight rivals in the $65,000 stakes event to be run at one mile on the turf.

“I would have loved to start her off in a maiden race,” Biancone said.  “But they’re 2-year-olds so everyone is still learning.”

Long Face shows four workouts on a tab that extends back to July 31.  Her two most recent are a four-furlong move in :48 – the third-fastest of 113 works at the distance on August 13 – and a five-furlong breeze on the turf in 1:03 3/5 on August 21.

“She’s really been working very well,” Biancone said.  “Her last work on the turf was very good.”

Based off of his filly’s training, Biancone says he expects Long Face to be rallying strongly in the late stages of the Junior Champion.

“She has a really strong turn of foot,” Biancone said.  “She’ll probably drop back and make one run.”