Northfield, OH – Trainer Joe Bongiorno is hopeful that Fansville, who is now healthy after battling illness for much of her 2-year-old season, is ready to step up her game in Saturday’s (Oct. 11) $125,000 Grade 3 Courageous Lady at MGM Northfield Park.
The Huntsville daughter kicked off her freshman campaign with back-to-back victories. But midway through the season, she became ill, and her racing season was cut short to give her time to recover and mature.
“After the start at Vernon, she got sick and it never really went away,” said Bongiorno. “Her immune system wasn’t the greatest – it took her a long time to recuperate and develop a stronger immune system.”
Fansville matured over the winter, but it still took time for everything to come together during her sophomore campaign.
“She had a bunch of tough trips to start her 3-year-old season,” Bongiorno explained. “Just when she’d get sharp, she’d draw poorly or end up in a difficult spot.”
Things finally took a turn for the better in mid-August when Fansville notched her first seasonal win in a $174,000 New York Sire Stakes leg at Yonkers. After a sluggish beginning, she rallied from off the pace and powered past rivals to win by two lengths in 1:54.
“I was really encouraged by that effort,” said Bongiorno. “She finally appeared to be turning the corner and getting sharper.”
The sire stakes win gave her connections the confidence to test Fansville against Grand Circuit competition. She shipped to Eldorado Scioto Downs for the $100,000 Nadia Lobell, and she once again had to overcome a tough trip.
Leaving alertly from post four, she was pushed three-wide entering the first turn and was taken back to third. Locked in through the final turn, it appeared she would need some racing luck to even grab a check. When Odds On Chesapeake vacated the pylons, Fansville shook free, and despite being loaded with pace, had to settle for third.
“The trip didn’t work out for her, but I was pleased because she was pacing very hard through the wire,” said Bongiorno.
Back in New York, Fansville finished a close second in the $300,000 New York Sire Stakes final. After a two-week layoff, she returned to the winner’s circle in back-to-back starts and showed her connections that she was reaching top form at just the right time.
“She’s been flawless in her last five starts. In her last two wins at Pocono, she was very handy and showed a lot of heart,” Bongiorno said. “Jack (Pelling) gets along well with her and he’s looking forward to driving her on Saturday.”
With a little racing luck and her health finally intact, Bongiorno believes Fansville has a big shot in Saturday’s Courageous Lady.
“She’s trained super this week and is coming into the race as sharp as you can hope,” he said.
The $125,000 Grade 3 Courageous Lady is one of nine stakes races on the power-packed 15-race program. The evening also features eight $50,000 Ohio Fair Championships and a pair of paces with all-female drivers.
From a wagering standpoint, guests will be treated to a pair of $20,000 estimated Pick 4 pools in race eight and race 11. Both wagers feature a $1 minimum and a low 14% takeout.
Post time on Saturday is 6 p.m.