Lovely Lil Ready for Graded Action

Among those pointing to next Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Foxwoods Gallant Bloom is Barry K. Schwartz’ homebred Lovely Lil, a 1 ¾-length winner of the Union Avenue for New York-breds at Saratoga Race Course on August 22.

The Union Avenue was the second start of 2011 for the 4-year-old daughter of Tiznow, who also won an optional claimer at the Spa on July 27.

“We’ve always thought she was better than just a New York-bred stakes filly,” said trainer Mike Hushion of Lovely Lil, who last year was fourth in the Grade 1 Test and seventh in the Gallant Bloom. “This seems like a nice spot for her. Her last race was a nice, conservative race; she wasn’t all out.”

In the Union Avenue, Lovely Lil sat behind opening fractions of 22.15 and 45.12, then came three-wide on the turn to take command in the stretch and go onto an easy victory.

“It was a good type of race to step up off,” said Hushion.

The trainer added that B Shanny, front-running winner of a seven-furlong maiden race at the Spa on August 20, continues to be pointed for the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont Park on August 8. The Street Cry colt most recently worked five furlongs in 1:03.45 at Belmont on September 12.

“Ramon [Dominguez] worked him,” said Hushion. “He thinks he’s getting noticeably more and more focused as time goes on.”