Lovely Lil Favored in Union Avenue

Last August, trainer Michael Hushion went big game hunting with his undefeated New York-bred filly, Lovely Lil, running her in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga off an eight-length allowance victory.

After a very rough start cost her all momentum, the daughter of champion Tiznow finished a game fourth, beaten 5 ½ lengths. In three of her next four starts, Lovely Lil also encountered trouble, most recently holding on to win a six-furlong optional claimer for state-breds on July 27 at Saratoga despite being bumped at the half-mile pole.

Now Hushion will send the Barry K. Schwartz-owned filly into the $75,000 Union Avenue at six furlongs on Monday at the Spa. The race, for New York-bred fillies and mares, 3-years-old and up, attracted a field of seven.

“She bounced out of her last race seeming better than I thought she would, considering how hard it was,” Hushion said. “We’ll find out if she wants to go up the ladder. We’re looking for her to be a graded stakes filly. This is a step forward.”

Lovely Lil was out from October until July with ankle and shoulder issues, Hushion said. She is 2-for-3 at Saratoga, and her dam, How About Now, won the Schuylerville in 1996 at the track.

Lovely Lil, the 9-5 favorite on the morning line, will leave from the rail under jockey Ramon Dominguez.

Trainer Pat Kelly will send out Fox Ridge Farm’s Bailzee, 8-1 on the morning line, in the Union Avenue. She rallied to finish third by Lovely Lil in her most recent start following turf races. The Grand Slam filly fractured a cannon bone last year but has come back running.

“She’s due for some good luck after her grass adventures,” Kelly said.

The field also includes Sentimental Lass, 5-2, and Gold for the Queen, 9-2, both winners of stakes for New York-breds, as well as Nicole’s Miss El, 6-1; My Sire’s Fire, 15-1; and Lady Gracenote, 10-1.