Sciacca, Ferraro trainees meet again

Testosterstone and Sundae On Sunday rallied in tandem from off the pace in the Fio Rito overnight handicap July 25 at Finger Lakes, with Testosterstone proving a head best. The pair will be rematched Monday at the same 1 1/16-mile distance in the $50,000 Genesee Valley Breeders’ Stakes.

Testosterstone stayed toward the rail in the Fio Rito, while Sundae On Sunday went around horses. They were moving at just about the same speed at the finish over the muddy track.

Testosterstone, trained by Gary Sciacca, carried 122 pounds and gave Sundae On Sunday two pounds. There will be a six-pound spread in the weights Monday, with Testosterstone the highweight at 124.

This will be the second consecutive Monday that Finger Lakes and Saratoga have carded almost identical featured races. Last week, Finger Lakes held the $50,000 Jack Betta Be Rite, a 1 1/16-mile race for New Yorkbred fillies and mares, while Saratoga ran the $100,000 Saratoga Dew, a 1 1/8-mile race for the same division. The Jack Betta Be Rite had five runners, the Saratoga Dew six.

The Genesee Valley is for statebred 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles. On Monday, Saratoga has the $100,000 Evan Shipman for the same pool of runners at 1 1/8 miles. The Genesee Valley has seven entrants, the Shipman six.

In the Fio Rito, both Testosterstone and Sundae On Sunday, conditioned by Michael Ferraro, received a nice pace setup when the 9-year-old Craft Concorde set fractions of 23.76 seconds, 46.93, and 1:12.28 before tiring. Winston’s Chance and Four Directions figure to show the way Monday, but it is unlikely that the splits will be nearly that quick.

Hit It Once More also is a top contender. He has the speed to track the front-runners, and if he can summon one of his better efforts, he may find himself sitting in the right place at an opportune time.

Hit It Once More, winner of the Albany Stakes and New York Derby last year, has yet to get untracked in three starts at 4. He will make his debut for Jeremiah Englehart in the Genesee Valley after having been trained by Sciacca.

GENESEE VALLEY, RACE 8 KEY CONTENDERS

Hit It Once More, by Hard Spun Last 3 Beyers: 73-86-69

◗ Dylan Davis comes in for the mount. Davis is 4 for 11 at Finger Lakes over the past two years. He has won the $75,000 New York Oaks and the $50,000 Ontario County this year. Last season, he won the $120,000 Aspirant and the $116,000 Lady Finger.

Sundae On Sunday, by Chief Seattle Last 3 Beyers: 86-87-71

◗ Now 8, he broke a 10-race losing streak here July 4, when he beat two-time horse of the meet Breakin the Fever by 3 3/4 lengths going six furlongs. He was unlucky to lose to Testosterone in his most recent start.

Testosterstone, by Birdstone Last 3 Beyers: 86-64-88

◗ Leading rider John Davila Jr., who will be back aboard Monday, made the winning move in the Fio Rito when he stuck to the rail in the stretch.

Bet Finger Lakes with DRF Bets: drfbets.com