Hot City Girl Targeting Union Avenue

Hot City Girl is targeting the $100,000 Union Avenue for New York-bred fillies on August 18, trainer Linda Rice said on Sunday morning. The City Zip chestnut filly, who won the 2015 Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks and came in second in the Grade 1 La Brea, has finished off the board just once in her last six starts and posted a third-place showing in the Dancin Renee on July 3 at Belmont Park.

"It's going to take us a little while to get her going again, so we're hoping we can get her back in form," Rice said.

Daisy Cutter is being pointed towards the $100,000 Saratoga Dew for New York-bred fillies on August 15, Rice said. Tic Stables' 4-year-old last breezed on July 27 when she clocked five furlongs in 1:01.90 on Saratoga's main track. She will be making her first start since finishing fourth against allowance company on July 13 at Belmont.

Modest Maven, the $1 million Fasig-Tipton 2-year-old topper, is moving closer to her debut after breezing six furlongs in 1:13.88 on Friday. Owned by Chester and Mary Broman, Modest Maven could race at the Spa later this month. Modest Maven was one of three juveniles by leading sophomore sire Uncle Mo to bring seven figures at auction in 2016.

"We're thinking of [entering] her in a race on the 21st, we're not sure if we'll make it but it's where we are pointed," Rice said.

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Trained Gary Contessa is anxious to see what this year's 2-year-olds will do in Saratoga, particularly Aspen Hilltop, a $350,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sales.

Owned by Lee Pokoik, the Bernardini filly has been stabled at the Spa since June, with seven timed workouts including a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.98 on Wednesday over the training track.

"I have a couple of good 2-year-olds we haven't seen yet that could make the meet for us," he said. "Aspen Hilltop has been training very well, and hopefully can deliver once we get her into a race."

Source: NYRA Communications