Hot City Girl looks for repeat victory in Union Avenue

Lady Sheila Stable's Hot City Girl looks for a repeat victory in the $100,000 Union Avenue on Thursday, a 6 ½-furlong sprint for New York-Bred fillies and mares, as she takes on nine competitors.

The multiple stakes winning mare is making her first start since running sixth in an allowance race at Aqueduct Racetrack in April. Trainer Linda Rice said the daughter of City Zip was just tired and needed some rest. 

"Her hair color was dull, she looked tired, she looked like she needed a rest, so we sent her out for a while and gave her a break," Rice said. "She has come back well. We only have three breezes in her, I am not sure we have quite enough [works] but we are going to give it the old college try." 

Hot City Girl has seven wins in 20 career races, including a victory in the Broadway on February 18 at Aqueduct. She has only run once at Saratoga Race Course, wiring the field in last year's Union Avenue to win by 1 ¾ lengths over Quezon.

"It is a good distance for her. I understand there is a lot of speed in the race," Rice said. "Jose Ortiz has ridden her most of her career and I am sure he will figure it out." 

Hot City Girl breaks from post 2 with Ortiz aboard. 

On the rail is Marc Keller's Quezon, the 9-5 morning line favorite. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano has the mount. 

Rounding out the field is Absatootly, who breaks from post 3 for trainer Charlton Baker and jockey Joe Bravo; Frosty Margarita from post 4, with Manny Franco in the irons for trainer Rudy Rodriguez; Todd Pletcher trainee Clipthecouponannie will load in post 5 with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez; Court Dancer is in post 6 with rider Joel Rosario for trainer Jason Servis, who also sends out Picco Uno from post 9 with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard; Dancin Renee winner Wonderment will leave from post 7 with Dylan Davis aboard for trainer Ken McPeek; Myfourchix, 30-1 on the morning line, breaks from post 8 for trainer Rick Schosberg with jockey Jose Lezcano; and grabbing the outside post is She's All Ready for trainer James Ryerson with Kendrick Carmouche in the saddle.