Sano sends out a sharp Lirica in Sugarloaf Key Handicap

Trainer Antonio Sano surely is hoping he will be overwhelmed by celebrators and media Saturday in the aftermath of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, where he will send out Gunnevera.

If by chance that does not occur, Sano might actually have an opportunity to peel an eye to a Saratoga simulcast monitor tuned to Gulfstream Park, where he will be represented by Lirica, one of the main contenders in the $50,000 Sugarloaf Key Handicap.

Lirica is one of eight fillies and mares in the Sugarloaf Key, the 11th of 12 races on a Saturday card that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Post time for the Sugarloaf Key is 5:56, or about 10 minutes after Sano will watch Gunnevera in the Travers.

Lirica has come to peak form this summer at Gulfstream. Just nine days after finishing third in a nondescript starter allowance, the chestnut filly came within a head of pulling a 31-1 upset in the Azalea Stakes on the July 1 Summit of Speed card at the south Florida track. That effort was no fluke, as she won with a flourish in her next start, an Aug. 13 allowance.

Marcos Meneses, who was aboard for that latest victory, has a return call Saturday on Lirica, who will break from post 3 carrying the lime silks of Magic Stables LLC.

Three others can be regarded as the main competition – Sweet Tooth Haven (post 1, Jose Batista), also a sharp last-out allowance winner; Money Or Love (post 4, Jairo Hernandez), a 20-1 winner of the restricted Added Elegance in her latest; and Sweet Khaleesi (post 5, Emisael Jaramillo), second as the favorite in the Added Elegance.

The Sugarloaf Key is part of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (races 7-12), which starts at 3:46.

The next six-figure stakes at Gulfstream are set for next Saturday (Sept. 2) with the $200,000 Affirmed and $200,000 Susan’s Girl.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lirica, by Kantharos Last 3 Beyers: 78-78-69

◗ Aside from her recent form, her overall Gulfstream record of 5-3-1 from 11 starts adds to her allure.

Sweet Khaleesi, by Maimonides Last 3 Beyers: 79-83-74

◗ This Arindel homebred has run three solid races in as many tries since Stanley Gold assumed her training.

Sweet Tooth Haven, by Vineyard Haven Last 3 Beyers: 74-71-80

◗ David Fawkes-trained filly has won twice from three starts since returning from a layoff.

Money Or Love, by J Be K Last 3 Beyers: 80-68-56

◗ Three starts before her upset win in the Added Elegance, she surprised at 38-1 in the Musical Romance at Gulfstream in May.