Goldy Espony a threat to steal Long Island

Goldy Espony returns from a two-month layoff with speed and an inside post in Saturday's $200,000 Long Island H. (G3), a 1 1/2-mile grass test for fillies at mares at Aqueduct.

Lulling her rivals to sleep in the $100,000 River Memories at Belmont in July and the Waya (G3) at Saratoga the following month, Goldy Espony had no easy time of it next out in the September 5 Glens Falls (G3). Beaten to the lead, the gray four-year-old ultimately faded to last after chasing swift internal splits of :46 3/5 and 1:10 2/5 in the 11-furlong event. One of three Chad Brown trainees in the field, Goldy Espony breaks from post 1 and will try and make all under Kendrick Carmouche.

Brown's other starters, Danza Cavallo and Rosalind, also showed speed in their respective last starts, but are generally not front runners. Danza Cavallo took the early lead in a paceless renewal of the Flower Bowl (G1) and was only passed by eventual Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) heroine Stephanie's Kitten. She was beaten a neck as the 8-5 favorite in last year's Long Island in her U.S. debut.

Rosalind, who captured the Sheepshead Bay (G2) back in May, seized early control in the E.P. Taylor (G1) at Woodbine last month, but faded to third behind European shippers Curvy and Talmada.

Christophe Clement also saddles three in the Long Island. Group 2-placed Crisolles led throughout in beating allowance foes at Belmont October 16, but is generally a stalking type, as is the stakes-winning Courtesan. Expected to come from off the pace is Walk Close, last seen taking the Modesty H. (G3) at Arlington in July.

Others of note are Mutatis Mutandis, third as a 14-1 chance in the Flower Bowl in her U.S. debut, and the multiple stakes-winning Interrupted, who captured the $150,000 Lady Baltimore at Laurel when last seen in September.

(Goldy Espony photo: NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography)