Bonita Bianca gets 'perfect setup,' wins Saratoga's Union Avenue

Bonita Bianca came three-wide around the turn and powered past Swing and Sway and Picco Uno in deep stretch to take the 15th running of the $100,000 Union Avenue for New York-bred fillies on Thursday at Saratoga Race Course.

Ridden by Manny Franco, the 4-year-old Curlin filly was content to run off the rail in fifth as Swing and Sway led through an opening half-mile in 21.57 seconds, with the half going in 44.02. The front-runner was briefly challenged by 1-2 favorite Picco Uno as the field of five straightened for home, but it was Bonita Blanca who closed fastest of all, hitting the wire 1 ½ lengths in front and covering the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.39.

It was the second victory in three 2018 starts for Bonita Blanca, who won an optional claimer at Monmouth Park in June in her first start for trainer Jason Servis and next finished fifth in the Dashing Beauty at Delaware Park.

"They were moving really fast early up front. The fractions they were putting up kind of compromised Picco Uno, but it certainly benefitted Bonita Bianca," said Servis, who also trains the beaten favorite. "The only instructions I had for Manny coming into the race was that she didn't like to get hit in the face with dirt. In her last start at Delaware she really ran when she was wheeled out and today she got the perfect setup and certainly took advantage of the early splits. It was a nice win for her."

Bonita Bianca, owned by Michael Dubb, Michael Imperio and Bethlehem Stables, returned $9.40 for a $2 win bet as she extended her record to 6-1-2 from 12 starts, with earnings of $470,667.

Wonderment finished fourth, seven lengths behind Picco Uno, while Absatootly was eased and walked off the track.