Finley’sluckycharm is fresh

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Last summer was a frustrating one for trainer Bret Calhoun when it came to his star sprinting filly Finley’sluckycharm.

First, Finley’sluckycharm was beaten in the Honorable Miss by Paulassilverlining, who surged at the end to win by a neck. A few weeks later, Calhoun had to pull the plug on an intended start in the Grade 1 Ballerina when Finley’sluckycharm strained a muscle following a routine gallop.

This summer, Calhoun and Finley’sluckycharm are back in Saratoga, hopeful of another two-race session beginning with Wednesday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap at six furlongs.

Finley’sluckycharm earned her first Grade 1 victory when she beat Miss Sunset by a nose in the Madison Stakes on April 7 at Keeneland. She came back in four weeks and faltered as the favorite in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs, finishing fourth behind winner American Gal.

In hindsight, Calhoun said Finley’sluckycharm might not have been fully recovered from that “gut-wrenching” race in the Madison and was flat in the Humana.

Finley’sluckycharm will have had 81 days between the Humana and the Honorable Miss.

“After that we decided we had to give her plenty of time,” Calhoun said. “She seems to be doing really good. She’s put on some weight.”

Finley’sluckycharm drew the outside post in the six-horse field, and Calhoun feels that will give jockey Brian Hernandez a chance to see how the race develops inside of him.

“You can hook her, it don’t matter,” Calhoun said. “She throws her ears up and relaxes even if you’re eyeballing her. I do think she’s matured and learned how to rate. She doesn’t have to be on the lead.”

The potential for a wet track doesn’t bother Calhoun, unless it’s a sticky, drying-out type of surface.

Trainer Steve Asmussen wouldn’t mind seeing a wet track for Vertical Oak, who is 3 for 4 in the slop including a 5 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Prioress here last September. As a 2-year-old, Vertical Oak won a maiden race by 6 3/4 lengths here over a fast track.

“Her best races are here,” Asmussen said.

However, her worst races are from the rail, the post Vertical Oak drew Wednesday.

Kirby’s Penny has won four of her last five starts, including the Grade 3 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont on May 12.

Chalon was second to Kirby’s Penny in the Vagrancy and came back to win the Regret at Monmouth last month and also is back in this spot.

KEY CONTENDERS

Finley’sluckycharm, by Twirling Candy Last 3 Beyers: 85-95-91

◗ A one-time need-the-lead type, the 5-year-old mare has been successful from off the pace.

◗ It has been more than 11 weeks since her last start, but she has shown ability to fire fresh.

Kirby’s Penny, by Macho Uno Last 3 Beyers: 92-90-76

◗ This was the intended target for her since she won the Vagrancy.

◗ Went 2 for 2 here last summer.