Hot Stones Tunes Up for Ballerina
Grade 3 winner Hot Stones breezed a half-mile on the main track Monday morning in advance of her next start in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina for female sprinters at seven furlongs.
Trained by Bruce Levine for owners Roddy Valente and Charles Casale, the 4-year-old New York-bred daughter of Bustin Stones was clocked in 48.72 seconds, ranking 14th of 65 horses at the distance.
It was the second work for Hot Stones since finishing third behind Antipathy and Stanwyck in the Grade 3 Shuvee Handicap on July 27. On August 11, she went four furlongs in 51.24 seconds, also on the main track.
"She went nice. We just wanted a 48 and change, just to open her up," Levine said. "We worked her last week an easy half. She ran a mile and an eighth in the Shuvee, so she's cutting back. One thing we know, she's fit."
Run at 1 1/8 miles over a muddy, sealed track, the Shuvee was Hot Stones' first start beyond a mile. The top two finishers are both targeting Friday's Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign, also at the Shuvee distance.
Hot Stones captured the Grade 2 Bed o' Roses Handicap on June 21 at Belmont Park in her only try at seven furlongs. A maiden winner at Saratoga last July, she has a victory and two thirds in three career Spa starts.
Levine heads into the Ballerina with the barn in good form, having posted six wins, one second and one third from its last 15 starters. Four of those wins have come on grass: milers Distorted Beauty, Al's Gal and Invading Humor, and sprinter Ziptronic.
Overall, Levine is 7-4-4 from 29 starters at Saratoga with purse earnings of $339,357.
"We've had a tremendous meet. My help's doing a super job," Levine said. "We just got a little lucky here and there, which is great."