Hot City Girl wins Union Avenue under confident handling

With a confident ride from jockey Jose Ortiz who picked up his fourth win of the day, Lady Shelia Stable's Hot City Girl returned to the winner's circle for the first time since November of 2015 to best a field of six in Thursday's $100,000 Union Avenue for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

Breaking from post position 7 at even odds as the post-time favorite, Hot City Girl was quickly sent for the lead. Setting fractions of 22.46 seconds of the opening quarter-mile and the half going in 45.17.

Quezon initiated a challenge at the quarter-pole moving from the two-path toward the rail to rallying to on the outside of Hot City Girl, who quickly thwarted the attempt to extend away in the stretch to win by 1 ¾ lengths.

Returning $4.30 for a $2 win wager, Hot City Girl completed the 6 ½-furlong distance in 1:15.03.

"Plan 'A' was to sit second but the other horse with speed [Court Dancer, No. 4] didn't break well so I took charge when she was taken out of the race and did it," said Ortiz.

Earning her first stakes victory since November 14 at Laurel Park when she captured the Safely Kept, the 4-year-old daughter of City Zip and Linda Rice-trainee boosted her career earnings to $588,150.

"I was concerned about the speed of the four [Court Dancer], obviously, but we were on the outside," said Rice. "Jose and I talked about it. Our intention was there was a good chance we were going to need to sit second off the No.4, but we had a good post for that. It's obvious on [Hot City Girl's] past performances that she has won most of her races on the lead, so if we get that option that is Plan 'A'. When the 4 didn't break, it certainly made it easier for us."

Looking to the future, Rice wouldn't rule out running the filly next in the Grade 2 $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park, which was won last year by her half-sister La Verdad.

"We may point her towards the [Gallant Bloom] at Belmont on October 1," sahe said. "It might be a nice spot for us. It's a nice purse and La Verdad won that race last year and this filly has run well at Belmont also."

Quezon checked in second 7 ½ lengths ahead of Dr. Fager's Gal in third. Hot House Rose, Court Dancer, and Familyofroses completed the order of finish. Little Bear Cat and Non Finisce Mai were scratched from the race.

Source: NYRA Communications (Najja Thompson)