Finger Lakes’ New York Derby and Oaks to be redrawn for Wednesday

NYRA Press Office

Finger Lakes rescheduled the $150,000 New York Derby and the $75,000 New York Oaks for Wednesday, July 24 after cancelling Saturday’s scheduled card due to expected excessive heat. Both races will be re-drawn on Sunday.

A number of NYRAbased locals are set to compete at Finger Lakes; however, a pair of Linda Rice trainees Blindwillie McTell and Newly Minted, are expected to stay home for stakes events.

Jerold Zaro’s Blindwillie McTell, who started his career with three wins and two runner-up finishes with all five starts at NYRA tracks, was expected to start in the New York Derby, the second leg of the Big Apple Triple for state-bred 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles.

Rice said the Posse bay is likely to start instead in the $150,000 New York Stallion Series Stakes Cab Calloway, a one-mile turf event set for July 24 at the Spa.

“We’re leaning towards the Calloway,” said Rice. “We’re not certain if he’s going to take to the turf, but we’re weighing the options and really haven’t made a firm decision. The Calloway, because it’s here at home, is a strong consideration.”

Rice also indicated that Newly Minted, originally slated to run in the New York Oaks, will stay in Saratoga and point instead to the $200,000 Fleet Indian, a nine-furlong route set for August 23.

Not That Brady will return to stakes company in Wednesday’s New York Derby for trainer Rudy Rodriguez after finishing second to well-regarded Looking At Bikinis last out in an optional-claiming event on June 27 at Belmont.

The talented Big Brown chestnut captured the Damon Runyon on New Year’s Eve at the Big A ahead of a strong second to Tax in the Grade 3 Withers. After finishing off the board in the Grade 3 Gotham, Not That Brady returned to form when fifth in a loaded renewal of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by NYRA Bets.

Rodriguez said Not That Brady will make the trek to Finger Lakes.

“He’s training well. We’re going to stick to the plan and run him on Wednesday,” said Rodriguez.

Other NYRA locals that initially entered the 47th running of the New York Derby include Bankit for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen; Durkin’s Call for Hall of Famer Bill Mott; and Just Right for trainer Todd Pletcher.

The New York Oaks, for state-bred sophomore fillies going 1 1/16 miles, will include both Elegant Zip and Espresso Shot.

Elegant Zip, who ran third in the Maddie May on March 31 at Aqueduct, made his first nine starts on a NYRA track before running fourth in the Niagara last out on June 17 at Finger Lakes. The Run Away and Hide filly is trained by David Donk.

Donk said a good effort could earn Elegant Zip a turn in the Fleet Indian.

“We’ll still ship up and run there,” said Donk. “It will give us an idea of how successful she can be going two turns. I know she can get the mile, going one turn, but this will give us a feel for the Fleet Indian in late August.”

Last out, Elegant Zip shipped to the Farmington oval for the six-furlong Niagara, finishing fourth.

“She’s done well. We have limited opportunities for a 3-year-old filly,” said Donk. “We elected to run her in the Niagara which was a little short for her. She got a trip over the track and we’ll see how successful we can be in the Oaks, but it’s not an easy spot.”

Elegant Zip has hit the board in all four starts going a one-turn mile, including an optional-claiming score in March at the Big A and a second in the Maid of the Mist in October.

“It’s encouraging,” said Donk. “She’s gotten the mile well, but it’s a little different going two turns. I’m hoping it won’t be a problem.”

Espresso Shot, the winner of the Busher on March 9 at the Big A, is a two-time stakes winner for trainer Jorge Abreu, having also won the East View on December 29 at Aqueduct.

The Mission Impazible bay started her 3-year-old season with a win in the Busher on March 9, but has finished off the board in two subsequent starts when fifth in the Grade 2 Gazelle and sixth last out in the Bouwerie.

“I think the Gazelle was a result of a lack of pace, but I don’t have much of an excuse for her last start. She ran flat and it just wasn’t her day,” said Abreu.

Abreu said Espresso Shot, bred by Twin Creeks Farm and owned by NY Final Furlong Stable and Maspeth Stable, has breezed well into Wednesday’s test including a five-furlong bullet breeze in 1:00.47 on July 6 and a four furlong effort in 48.24, both on the Oklahoma training track.

“She did that on her own. When I put her in company she tries to do a little bit too much,” said Abreu of the July 6 work. “She came home in 23 and two and galloped out threequarters in 1:14. That was a good breeze. The last breeze was an easy mile in 48 and change.”

Espresso Shot will ship to Finger Lakes on the day of the race.