Short Field and Heavy Favorites in $100,000 Union Avenue

Risky Rachel is the 7/5 morning line favorite for trainer Juan Coronel after a second place finish July 30 at Saratoga against allowance company.  Risky Rachel is winless since February, but looks to be rounding back into her best form posting an 89 Beyer Speed Figure in her last start.  She figures to be on or near the lead in a field devoid of early speed.  

Sunny Desert tries to regain best stride 

Sunny Desert (8/5 ML) looks to be Risky Rachel’s main rival.  The Bruce Levine trainee came back from an 11 month layoff to run third on a sloppy track in the Broadway Stakes at Aqueduct in March.  Certainly, there is cause for concern considering Sunny Desert will be making just her second start in 16 months, but her work tab shows a bullet August 10 at Saratoga while breaking from the gate.  If Sunny Desert can shake off the rust, she figures to get a nice stalking trip behind Risky Rachel and could be the one to beat. 

Uncle Southern could make her presence felt early 

Uncle Southern (10/1 ML) for trainer Linda Rice is fresh off a career-best 83 Beyer – a number recorded in a win against allowance company July 31 at Saratoga.  Uncle Southern’s ability to attend the early pace could enable her to hang around longer than expected in the stretch.  Uncle Southern is one for two in her career at the Spa.