November, 2001 Racing Front News Archives Track Photo Credits: Saratoga-Adam Coglianese Belmont-Adam Coglianese • Finger Lakes-Tom Cooley

(11/30) Tsuyu a repeat winner
Barry K. Schwartz' homebred, TSUYU, won her second consecutive race since returning to the racetrack after a five month layoff. The lightly raced three year-old bay filly was ridden to victory by Richard Migliore for trainer Mike Hushion as ten fillies went to post in the non-winner of 1X condition for state-bred fillies and mares. The race was run at one mile flat over Aqueduct Racetrack's main track.
Goingtothechapel and Winlocs Grama Rose hooked up to battle for the lead just as the field entered the main track from the shoot. Migliore patiently sat to the outside of the dueling pair to the top of the turn before moving with Tsuyu and ran up to take the lead by the middle of the turn under a hand ride. Once straightened for home, Tsuyu opened up a commanding lead and won under mild urging by four lengths.
Bred at Mr. Schwartz' Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, New York, Tsuyu is by Rahy, out of Wings Point, by Alydar.

(11/30) Bombs away
Eleven two year-old fillies went to post in the second division of the state-bred maidens on today's Aqueduct Racetrack Friday card. Run at a distance of six furlongs over the main track, three game fillies hit the wire together with MARNIE'S WISH emerging the winner at odds of 43-1!
Green Speed was quickest away from the gate and set a suicidal 21.4 to the five-eights pole. Jockey Jose Espinoza riding Marnie's Wish for trainer Glenn DiSanto wisely sat off the early pace and didn't ask his mount to move until the middle of the last turn. Once underway, Marnie's Wish swung four wide and chased even money favorite Hanselette down the center of the track with Hillary's Fantasy making a belated move on the far outside. After the stewards reviewed the photo, Marnie's Wish was placed first, Hanselette beaten a nose was second and Hillary's Fantasy a quarter of a length back in third.
Owned and bred by William Ammann, Marnie's Wish is by Marlin, out of Heirloom Wish, by Lyphard's Wish (Fr.). The dam, Heirloom Wish was a hard-hitting racehorse who earned $208,880 in fourty-four lifetime starts. Marnie's Wish making her second lifetime start, is the dam's first foal.

(11/30) Liveitupnow breaks maiden at Big A
Paraneck Stable's homebred, LIVEITUPNOW, broke her maiden today, in her third lifetime start. Racing against two year-old state-bred fillies at a distance of six furlongs, trainer Richard Lundy gave a leg up to Norberto Arroyo, Jr. as ten fillies went postward with Liveitupnow the race-time favorite.
Away quickest from the gate was Lady Commando, who set an honest pace of 22.1 and 46.1 to the half-mile pole with Ring Girl in close pursuit. Liveitupnow saved ground along the rail racing just behind the leader to the middle of the turn before angling four wide to the middle of the track. Once the field straightened for the homestretch, Ring Girl ran by Lady Commando and battled briefly with Me Me Me Me before Liveitupnow chased them down past the eighth pole, crossing the wire and one and one-quarter length winner stopping the timer in 1:11.3. Ring Girl finished second and Me Me Me Me was third.
Liveitupnow is by Brooklyn Nick, out of Willtolive, by Cahill Road. Willtolive was purchased by Paraneck Stable as a yearling for $125,000. Ernie Paragallo, the principle of Paraneck Stable stands Brooklyn Nick at his Centerbrook Farm in Climax, New York.

(11/29) Pure Harmony in game effort
J and Vee Stables' PURE HARMONY is now two for two against claiming company as he gamely battled to victory today at Aqueduct Racetrack. The $50 - $40 claimer had seven horse contesting the $38,000 purse at one mile flat. Trainer Juan Ortiz named apprentice jockey Lorenzo Lezcano to ride.
Quickest away from the gate, Pure Harmony set the pace down the backside while under pressure. Leading the field into the homestretch, Quiet One took aim at Pure Harmony and collared the latter at the eighth pole. The two raced stride for stride to the wire with Pure Harmony gamely holding on to win by a head in 1:35.2.
Bred by the late John Valentino at his Genegantslet Farm in Smithville Flats, New York, and owned by J and Vee Stable, Pure Harmony is by Wild Harmony, out of Pure Vintage, by Proud Truth. The four year-old dark bay colt has now earned $168,350 with a respectable Lifetime Record: 14-6-1-1. The J and Vee Stables will earn an open owner's award of 10% of the winner's purse or $2,258 for today's score and the estate of John Valentino will earn a breeder's award of $2,258 - all part of the incentives provided by the New York Breeding and Racing Program.

(11/29) Mister Polyphemus takes Big A finale
Peregrination Farm's MISTER POLYPHEMUS took today's finale at the Big A in a state-bred maiden race for three year-olds and upward run at seven furlongs over the main track. Trainer Alex DeRosa gave a leg up to Ariel Smith as eleven horses went to post.
Away quickly from the gate, Smith grabbed hold of the three year-old bay colt and took him back to fourth position down the backside as Dr. Richard Walker set the pace. At the top of the stretch, Mister Polyphemus had moved into striking position and ran by easily, once roused by Smith. Going from the fog, which had engulfed the track, into the clear, Mister Polyphemus crossed the wire an easy winner.
Bred by Questroyal Farm and Michael Pascuma, Mister Polyphemus is by Anjiz, out of the Fit to Fight mare, Curb Amex, who is out of the graded stakes winner Darlin Momma. Mister Polyphemus was sold as a weanling at the 1998 Fasig-Tipton November Kentucky sale for $5,000.

(11/28) Light Up The Sky wins allowance
After winning his first two lifetime starts in June and July of 2000, Inscarra Stable's LIGHT UP THE SKY had not visited the winner's circle this year in seven attempts. Missing by a head in a flat mile in his last attempt the lightly raced five year-old won convincingly today in a one and one-eight mile race at Aqueduct Racetrack. The non-winner of 2X condition for state- breds had a field of six and trainer Phil Serpe named John Velazquez to ride.
Cozy Dance went to the front with Light Up The Sky sitting on his outside flank in the run down the backside. Stalking closely while under a snug hold, Light Up The Sky easily blew by Cozy Dance in the middle of the last turn and opened up daylight on the field. The odds-on favorite, Storm The Gate, trailed in the early going was moving strongly while racing very wide on the last turn, but had to check in mid-stretch when Actuary's Son came out. Unhindered by any road traffic, the five year-old Light Up The Sky glided to the wire.
Bred by Harry L. Landry of Saratoga Springs, Light Up the Sky is by Thunder Rumble, out of the Sir Raleigh mare, Timeleighness, who has also produced stakes winner Lavish Numbers(Polish Numbers). Light Up the Sky was purchased as a yearling for $52,000 at the 1997 Fasig- Tipton Preferred Sale in Saratoga Springs.

(11/28) Unknown Fact breaks maiden
Tri-Richard Stable's UNKNOWN FACT broke her maiden today at Aqueduct Racetrack in a seven furlong sprint run over the main track.
Ridden by Jean-Luc Samyn, the four year-old dark bay filly sat in mid-pack of the twelve horse field down the backside. Setting the pace was Lorrainesvalentine, who gave way to There Trouble approaching the last turn. Moving closer to the leaders in the middle of the last turn, Samyn swung the filly to the outside for the stretch run and powered to the lead winning by a half- length crossing the wire.
Unknown Fact is by Known Fact, out of the J.O. Tobin mare, Jamara.

(11/25) Wonderful Prospect takes nightcap
Paraneck Stable's homebred, WONDERFUL PROSPECT, won a hard-fought battle to take today's last race at Aqueduct Racetrack. Raced at a distance of six furlongs over the main track, Wonderful Prospect was sent off as the race-time favorite at 2-1 in the state-bred allowance. Trainer Richard Lundy named Edgar Prado to ride and ten horses went postward.
Strike the Brass was quickest of all away from the gate with Wonderful Prospect taking up the chase down the backside. Setting quick fractions of :22.3 and :45.4 for the half-mile, Strike the Brass was in full command turning for home as Wonderful Prospect began to make his move, however once alongside Strike the Brass opened up a length lead. Under a strong drive, Wonderful Prospect again took a run at his foe past the eighth pole and the two matched strides to the wire with Wonderful Prospect putting his head in front nearing the wire for the victory, stopping the timer in 1:10.1.
Wonderful Prospect is by Prospect Bay, out of Just Wonderful, by Strike the Anvil. His dam raced mostly on the turf and earned $93, 000 of her $99,000+ lifetime earnings on the turf. Wonderful Prospect, who has yet to make his debut on the grass now has earnings of $55,130 with a Lifetime Record: 6-2-0-1.

(11/24) Quiet Ruler storms to victory
QUIET RULER who beat $50,000 claimers in his last effort, visited the winner's circle again today at the Big A. The three year-old chestnut gelding was racing against state-bred allowance company in a non-winner of 1X condition and was ridden by Edgar Prado for trainer Russell Mueller in the eleven horse field.
At the start of the one and one-eighth mile turf race, Boy Willy and Gunning went to the front with Gunning coming away with the lead in the run down the backside. Winloc's Nelson was drafting comfortably in third position with Quiet Ruler rating toward the back of the field. At the top of the turn Winloc's Nelson started to move to the leader on the outside as Prado guided his mount along the rail. At the top of the stretch Prado was looking for racing room which he found by angling off the rail, split horses and charged down the stretch to collar Winloc's Nelson who had stolen away to a three length lead. Nearing the wire, Quiet Ruler drew off to a one and one-half length victory.
Quiet Ruler is owned by Shadow Roll Farm and Old Brookside Farm and was bred by Gallagher's Stud located in Ghent, New York. By Woodman, out of the Riverman mare, Rivermorn, who's a half-sister to the multiple Grade I millionaire Alphabatim (Verbatim), Quiet Ruler has now won $114,930 with a Lifetime Record: 20-3-2-2.

SONNY THE SAILOR (outside) draws even with Anties Boy (hidden) before wire

(11/24) Sonny The Sailor wins Big A finale
Joanne Foresta's homebred, SONNY THE SAILOR, broke his maiden today in his fourth attempt. Stretching out to a mile for the first time, trainer Edward Miller named Jean Luc Samyn as rider in the state-bred affair, and twelve horses went postward. The last race on the Saturday card, which featured three graded stakes races, including the grade I Cigar Mile, proved to be one of the more exciting of the afternoon.
Lastcallforparis was quickest away from the gate and set the fractions up the backside with Anties Boy tracking on the outside. Samyn had Sonny The Sailor on an outside path but was unhurried through the early going. Into the last turn, the front runners remained the same but Sonny The Sailor was just beginning to make a five wide move to get into contention.
As the field straightened for home Anties Boy ran by a leg weary Lastcallforparis but was quickly engaged by Sonny The Sailor on the outside. From the eighth pole to the wire the pair raced head-to-head, nose-to-nose, matching strides; and, as they crossed the finish line, the outcome was still hard to determine and led one to believe it would be a dead-heat. However, the photo showed that the game Sonny The Sailor bested the equally courageous Anties Boy by a scant nose.
The lightly raced Sonny The Sailor is a four year-old bay gelding by Double Negative, out of the Full Pocket mare, Fawn Lake, and has now earned $40,370 in four career starts.

MOONLIGHTANDBEAUTY winning last month.

(11/23) Moonlightandbeauty shows her class
Albert Fried, Jr.'s homebred, MOONLIGHTANDBEAUTY, danced home an easy winner in a state-bred allowance for two year-old fillies today in a non-winner of 1X condition race. Raced at a distance of seven furlongs over the main track at Aqueduct Racetrack trainer Todd Pletcher named John Velazquez to ride and seven fillies were loaded into the starting gate.
Blue's Magee and Moonlightandbeauty, both breaking from outside post positions hooked up in a brief duel with Moonlightandbeauty taking command of the pace prior the six-eighths pole. Moving easily on the lead around the last turn, Moonlightandbeauty was briefly challenged, once again, by Blue's Magee. However, Velazquez roused the talented filly for more run and she willingly obliged by drawing off to a five length winning score.
The dark bay filly is by Capote, out of the multiple stakes winning Deputy Minister mare, Stolen Beauty, who won the 1991 Grade II - Demoiselle Stakes on her way to banking $303,894 in her thirty-three race career. Moonlightandbeauty has now banked $51,000 in her freshman year winning twice in five outings.

(11/23) How sweet it is!
Joseph Parisi's LUCKY SUCRE stormed from off the pace to capture a state-bred two year-old maiden race today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trained by Faustino Ramos and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, the $41,000 maiden saw eight fillies go postward in the one mile flat race over the main track.
Bappychew and Lady Commando hooked up in an early duel with Lucky Sucre sitting off the pace. Swinging wide in the last turn, Lucky Sucre glided to the leaders and overtook the lead at the top of the stretch, drawing away to win by four lengths.
Bred by Elise Benedict Browne at her Tilly Foster Farm in Carmel, New York, Lucky Sucre is a bay filly by Lord Carson, out of Sucre Sucre, by Manila. Sucre Sucre is a half-sister to the 1974 Kentucky Derby winner Cannonade (Bold Bidder). Mr. Parisi purchased the promising filly as a yearling at the 2000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale for $115,000.

BELLA ROUGE winning last month.

(11/23) Bella Rouge repeats in allowance
Fresh from a convincing victory in her previous race, BELLA ROUGE came right back to capture a non-winner of 2X condition for state-bred fillies and mares allowance race. Contested at six furlongs over the main track at Aqueduct Racetrack, trainer David Donk once again gave a leg up to jockey Javier Castellano.
Drive Right, going for her third win in a row, went to the front with Little Lori Lu in close pursuit. Castellano kept Bella Rouge on an outside path in the run down the backside moving still further in the last turn and was in the center of the track for the run to the wire. Collaring Drive Right at the eighth pole, Bella Rouge won easily by four lengths in a hand ride.
Bella Rouge is owned and bred by the partnership of John Benzel and Kirk Hazen, and is a three year-old chestnut filly by A. P Jet, out of the D'Accord mare, Sea Accord, and has now earned $105,100 and as breeder's Mr. Benzel and Mr. Hazen have earned awards of 20% of Bella Rouge's earnings or $21,020, since they all came toNew York State racetracks.

(11/22) Beijio captures open allowance
Philip Marcantonio's New York homebred, BEIJIO, came from off the pace to capture an open allowance today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Ridden by Norberto Arroyo, Jr., for trainer Frank Labocceta, Jr., the non-winner of 1X allowance race was run at a distance of one mile flat over the main track.
Sitting off the early pace, Norberto had Beijio in a full drive through the stretch run and overpowered Drawing a Blank in deep stretch, winning by two lengths crossing the wire.
A third place finisher to Maddie May in the $125,000 Iroquois Handicap run at Belmont Park on New York Showcase Saturday earlier in the fall, Beijio, is a three year-old bay filly by Dr. Blum, out of the Kris S. mare, Kristening. Beijio has now banked $160,555 with a respectable Lifetime Record: 14-4-1-5. For today's open company score, Mr. Marcantonio earns an owner's award check of 20% of the winner's purse or $5,280 and as breeder earns a breeder's award check of 20% of the winner's purse or $5,280 - all part of the lucrative New York Breeding and Racing Program's incentives.

(11/22) Michael's Temper wins in laugher
Denise Delmonte's homebred, MICHAEL'S TEMPER, broke his maiden today against state-bred two year-olds at Aqueduct Racetrack which began the holiday racing day at 11:00 am. Carded as the second race, the maiden carried a $41,000 purse and was run at six furlongs. Ms. Delmonte, who trains Michael's Temper, named jockey Luis Rivera, Jr. to ride as eleven horses went to post.
First time starter Rogue Agent unseated his jockey at the break. Michael's Temper was immediately sent to the lead by Rivera and set the pace as the loose Rogue Agent was a menacing presence on the outside in third position. Around the last turn, Rogue Agent, ducked to the inside and unbelievingly waited for a hole to open up between the rail and Michael's Temper. Rivera, who only saw Rogue Agent's head to his inside, went to the whip before noticing the challenger was riderless, and then looked to his outside to see where the rest of the field was positioned, which was non-threatening to say the least. Michael's Temper, racing on lasix for the first time, was a ten length winner. The two year-old bay colt is by Mughtanim, out of the Temperance Hill mare, Rapid Temper. Michael's Temper has now earned $31,310 in three starts.

(11/21) New York Heroes fund donations to be distributed (Courtesy of Thoroughbred Times)
Breeders' Cup Ltd., the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and the New York Racing Association plan to distribution proceeds from the NTRA Charities "New York Heroes Fund" during a luncheon next week in New York City. A total of $2,250,000 will be distributed on November 29 during a ceremony at Smith at Wollensky restaurant in New York City. The amount does not include nearly $2.5-million earned by the charitable organization already dispensed to various groups before the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship on October 27. Groups that will receive donations are the New York Police and Firefighters Widows' and Childrens' Fund ($500,000), State World Trade Center Relief Fund ($250,000), Twin Towers Relief Fund ($250,000), and several charities aimed towards helping organizations in the vicinity of Belmont Park and Aqueduct. Those groups include the Garden City Community-Family Relief Fund ($250,000) and the Diocese of Rockville Centre Emergency Relief Fund ($250,000). Peggy Hendershot, NTRA director of industry communications, said approximately $1.5-million in pledges and contributions are still expected to be paid to the New York Heroes Fund established in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City. -- Liane Crossley

(11/21) Stablemates run 1-2 in allowance
The Joseph Lostritto homebred entry of RUN ALEXIS RUN and Any Scoop ran one-two respectively in a state-bred allowance race today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Run over the turf at a distance of one and one-eighth mile for the non-winner 1X condition race, Mr. Lostritto, who also trains the entry, named apprentice jockey Lorenzo Lezcano to ride Run Alexis Run and Jose Santos on Any Scoop.
Run Alexis Run bore in slightly after the breaking, bumping into North Park Legend, but it didn't seem to faze North Park Legend as she quickly went to the front to duel with Counting Visions. The two fillies hooked up in a spirited duel through the early going pulling away from the field down the backside. Continuing their duel around the last turn, North Park Legend pulled away at the top of the stretch opening up some daylight, however the early battle proved too much in the latter stages of the race. At the eighth pole, stablemates Any Scoop and Run Alexis Run both ran by North Park Legend and went head to head to about fifty yards from the finish line. At that point, Run Alexis Run pulled away to win by a half length.
Run Alexis Run is by Conquistador Cielo, out of the Bounding Basque mare, Bounding Boldly, who is a stake placed winner of $206,983 and a half sister to the multiple European stakes winner Celestial Key (Star De Naskra). The five year-old bay mare, Run Alexis Run, has now earned $91,700 with a Lifetime Record: 22-2-2-4.

(11/21) Gander leaves girlfriend behind for Clark By JAY PRIVMAN (Courtesy Daily Racing Form)
The holidays are a time to be spent with loved ones, but this week, Gander is going to have to go it alone. He will have to leave his steady companion, Heather's Promise, back at Belmont Park, and venture to the wilds of Kentucky all by his lonesome. Time to buck up.
Gander has gone to Churchill Downs for Friday's Grade 2, $400,000 Clark Handicap. It will be the final start of the year for the 5-year-old gray gelding, who has made more money this year - $543,500 - than in any of his three previous seasons on the track. Part of that might be the natural maturation of a racehorse allowed to steadily progress. But his improvement also coincided with his being introduced to Heather's Promise, a filly who trainer John Terranova and his wife, Tonja, believe has had a calming effect on Gander.
"He was a real nervous horse. He would never relax," Tonja Terranova said. "Since they've been together, he stands next to her."
"He eats better now, too," John Terranova said.
They now are purposely kept in adjoining stalls at Belmont Park. They first ended up next to each other purely by accident, when Terranova's horses encamped at Saratoga for the summer of 2000.
"He's a gelding. Nothing was going to happen," John Terranova mused.
That was when Gander started to make a significant leap forward. He had been a steady performer in stakes restricted to New York-breds, but his occasional forays into graded stakes company found him wanting.
Last year, however, Gander finished third in the Grade 2 Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap, was a close third in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park, then was second in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. His improvement convinced his owners, Mike and Ted Gatsas, to supplement Gander to last year's Breeders' Cup Classic, and though Gander only finished ninth that day at Churchill Downs, it was clear he had moved to the next level.
Initially at Saratoga, Gander and Heather's Promise could only peer at one another through the tiny cracks in the stall walls. But at Belmont Park, the Terranovas built a small window between their two stalls.
"He started running better and better," John Terranova said.
This year has been better still. Gander was third in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga, then at long last got his first victory in a graded stakes with his determined performance in the Grade 2 Meadowlands Cup Handicap. Terranova added blinkers to Gander's equipment for the Meadowlands Cup. They are called "cheaters," because the plastic blinker cup is quite small. But John Terranova thinks it helped just that much.
"It's just enough to keep him focused, to keep him in the bridle," he said.
The Meadowlands Cup victory - Gander's 10th in 38 starts - put Gander on course for this year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Belmont Park. But Gander never had a chance, because he was pinched back badly at the start. Yet in a remarkable effort for a horse who prefers to be on or near the lead, Gander advanced as far as fifth with a quarter-mile remaining, but he flattened out in the stretch and wound up ninth, beaten by 10 lengths.
"That's not his style," John Terranova said. "He's got to come away clean and grind it out."
After the Clark, Gander will get a brief freshening. He could end up in California this winter with a contingent of horses Terranova sent west. But because Heather's Promise was ill recently, she is not going to join Gander in Kentucky this week. Will breaking up be hard to do? The Terranovas hope not.
"When she shipped out from Saratoga, he didn't eat for four days," Tonja Terranova said. "Maybe we should stand her at the finish line."

MANGURION (outside) wins very tight photo against Coast to Coast (inside)

(11/17) Spectacularspencer wins another
Sanford Goldfarb's SPECTACULARSPENCER came right back after a convincing four length victory in an open allowance to again beat open company horses in a non-winner of 2X condition. The New York-bred four year-old gelding was claimed for $30,000 last November and has never been off the board in seven starts, posting three victories, two second place finishes two third placed finishes. Trained by Richard Dutrow, Jr., Edgar Prado was named to ride as seven went to post.
Unhurried in the early phase of the seven furlong race over the main track at Aqueduct, Prado saved ground along the rail to the middle of the last turn. Looking for a seam to run through, Spectacularspencer gamely ran through a narrow opening and charged down the stretch determinedly and just passed For Love and Honor at the wire for a head victory.
Bred by Robert Cohen, Spectacularspencer is a dark bay by Distinctive Pro, out of the Spectacular Bid mare, Spectaculaire, who also produced Spectaculaireontap (Signal Tap) a winner of four straight earlier this fall. The former claimer has now amassed $206,793 with a respectable Lifetime Record: 22-5-7-4.
For today's open company score, Mr. Goldfarb earns an open owner's award of 20% of the winner's purse or $5,400 and Mr. Cohen earns a breeder's award of 20% of the winner's purse or $5,400. The awards are part of the lucrative incentives provided by the New York Breeding and Racing Program and why we claim that: "New York-breds..They start with an Advantage!!"

(11/17) Vodka takes open allowance
Joseph W. Gerrity, Jr.'s homebred, VODKA, who finished ninth beaten three lengths in the $125,000 Hudson Handicap on New York Showcase after encountering some road traffic during the stretch run, came back to capture an open allowance today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Raced at a distance of seven furlongs over the main track, Vodka was ridden by Herbert Castillo, Jr. for trainer John Hertler in non-winner of 2X other than Maiden, Claimer, Starter or Restricted condition.
Fellow New York-bred Bluesbreaker went to the front and set the pace as Vodka sat well off the pace in fifth position. Moving four wide around the last turn, Vodka assumed command and resolutely held off King's Messenger through the stretch run to win by a length.
Bred at Mr. Gerrity's Little Farm in Kinderhook, New York, Vodka is by Double Negative, out of Twirlabout, by Smarten, and has now earned $188,490 with a Lifetime Record: 19-5-3-2. For todays open company victory Mr. Gerrity earns an open owner's award of 20% of the winner's purse or $5,400 and another $5,400 as the breeder - all part of the lucrative incentives provided by the New York Breeding and Racing Program.

(11/17) Vee Eye Pee breaks maiden
Barry K. Schwartz' VEE EYE PEE broke his maiden today after having finished second in his last two attempts and three times out of his first five career starts. Purchased as a yearling at the 1999 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred Sale for $140,000, Vee Eye Pee has shown promised in early morning workouts but hadn't put it all together in the afternoon, until today.
Racing at a distance of six furlongs over the main track at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trainer Mike Hushion named Aaron Gryder to ride as 14 horses went postward in the state-bred race for 3 year-olds and up.
Breaking alertly from the eleven-post position, Gryder hustled Vee Eye Pee to the front and set the pace throughout drawing clear when asked and held off Diplomatically by a length and a half while under a steady drive.
Bred by Vivian Malloy's Edition Farm, Vee Eye Pee is by Distinctive Pro, out of the Synastry mare, Synful Maid. Vee Eye Pee has now earned $53,710 in six starts.

(11/16) I'm All Yours wins Big A feature
New York-bred I'M ALL YOURS, winner of the $150,000 Mohawk Handicap on New York Showcase, beat open allowance horses today to win the featured eighth race at Aqueduct Racetrack. The purse for the feature was a healthy $56,000 and eight horses went to post including stakes winner Indy Vidual and graded stakes winner Drama Critic.
Indy Vidual, away from the races since last July went to the front but was challenged on the outside by Slowhand with I'm All Yours the trailer as they came by the grandstand for the first time. Down the backside and to the top of the stretch the positioning on the front end remained the same; again with I'm All Yours sitting in last position. As the field straightened for home, Prado moved I'm All Yours off the rail to the middle of the course and began a sustained move collaring the leaders about 50 yards from the wire, before running by to win by one and one-half lengths.
Owned by Anstu Stable, and bred by Gerald A. Nielsen, I'm All Yours was a $75,000 purchase at the 1999 Fasig-Tipton Calder two year-old in training sale. The multiple stakes winning four year-old bay gelding is by Belong To Me, out of the Cormorant mare, Phalanopsis, who also produced Roman Dancer (Polish Numbers), a two year-old winner of the Sunny Slope Stakes earlier in the fall at Santa Anita Racetrack in California.
I'm All Yours has now earned $287,630 with an impressive Lifetime Record: 12-7-0-2; and, for today's effort the Anstu Stable will earn an open owner's award of 20% of the winner's purse or $6,720. The breeder, Mr. Nielsen will earn a breeder's award of 20% of the winner's purse or $6,720 ' all part of the lucrative incentives provided in the New York Breeding and Racing Program.

(11/16) Dance For Charity romps in Big A finale
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Nielsen's homebred, DANCE FOR CHARITY, took the nitecap on the Friday Aqueduct racecard, a state-bred fillies and mares allowance of non-winner of 1X condition. Raced at a distance of seven furlongs over the main track, trainer H. James Bond, who is red-hot, named an equally sizzling Edgar Prado to ride.
One For Nick wheeled at the start unseating apprentice jockey Lorenzo Lezcano. April Morning and Divinely dueled through fast fractions getting over the half in :45.3 with Dance For Charity sitting well off the pace. As the field straightened for home Prado moved the three year-old dark bay filly to the middle of the track and hand rode the filly to an easy score winning by seven lengths.
Dance For Charity is by Phone Trick, out of the Barrera mare, Bright Tribute, who also produced stakes winners Lord Beer (Cormorant) and Eliot Chacer (Clever Trick). Dance For Charity has now won $79,690 in nine career starts. The sire Phone Trick has had a loyal following from New York breeders and has moved into the Empire State for the 2002 season, standing at Milfer Farm, in Unadilla, New York.
The Nielsen's had a very New York-bred rewarding day, earning $6,720 as breeder for I'm All Yours in the feature and another $2,580 for Dance For Charity to go along with the winner's purse of $25,800. The Nielsen's own Sunnyfield Farm in Bedford, New York and have been longtime supporters of the New York Breeding and Racing Program. Mr. Nielsen sits on the board of directors of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. and was formerly a member of the board of the directors of the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund Corp.

(11/16) Bicentennial arrives on time
BICENTENNIAL closed resolutely down the middle of the turf course to capture a state-bred allowance race today at Aqueduct Racetrack. The non-winner of 2X condition was run at a distance of one and one-eighth mile, and trainer Christophe Clement gave a leg-up to Jose Santos as eleven horses went postward.
Longshot Captain Nicholas went to the front and showed the way around the first turn and down the backside with Louie the Jet and Chieftaincy in hot pursuit. Santos had Bicentennial toward the back of the field in the early going saving ground along the rail. Approaching the last turn, Captain Nicholas still had the lead as the field started to tighten up with Bicentennial looking for running room. Coming out of the turn, Santos split horses and angled to the middle of the course before starting a vigorous drive, which just collared a determined Captain Nicholas by a head at the wire.
Bred by Snowberry Farm in Hudson, New York, the three year-old colt is owned by December Hill Farm and Michael J. Ryan. Bicentennial is by Dynaformer, out of the Olden Times mare, Cardonessa, who also produce the 1992 New York Oaks winner, Lilly's Moment (Timeless Moment). Bicentennial was purchased at the 2000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $130,000 and has now earned $124,040 with a respectable Lifetime Record: 10-3-3-2.

(11/15) Talespin takes Big A opener
Phyllis Mordas' homebred, TALESPIN, ridden by Julian Pimental, took today's opener at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trainer Charles Carlesimo, Jr., entered the three year-old bay filly in a state-bred maiden race going one-mile flat over the main track. Pimental was leading rider at the recently concluded fall meet at Meadowlands Racetrack, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Think of Me was hustled to the lead and set the pace for the first half-mile before tiring, with Talespin choosing to sit well off the early pace. After Think of Me threw in the towel Jettalyn took command and led the eleven horse field to the top of the stretch before relinquishing the lead to But (does this read like an Abbott and Costello bit?). Talespin was then roused into contention by Pimental, and ran by But in the final 50 yards to win by one and one-half lengths.
Breaking her maiden in her tenth lifetime start, Talespin is by Abel Prospect, out of Merri Tales, by Castle Guard and has now banked $49,620 with more than half of this amount being earned for today's effort. Her dam, Merri Tales was a very successful racehorse earning more than a quarter of a million dollars, while a stakes winner and was graded stakes placed.

(11/12) Bound By Honour captures allowance at Big A.
Old Brookside Farm's BOUND BY HONOUR came right back to win after breaking his maiden in his last outing on November 2nd. Racing over the Aqueduct Racetrack's turf course at a distance of one and one-sixteenth mile, Bound By Honour drew in off of the Also-Eligible list for the non-winner of 1X condition race for state-breds. Trainer Russell Mueller named Norberto Arroyo, Jr. to ride as eleven horses went to post.
Boy Willy took the field into the first turn and set the pace down the backside with Bound By Honour sitting in mid-pack during honest fractions. Turning for home, Spectacular Deal took over the lead but Bound By Honour was moving strongly down the middle of the track and race-time favorite Edgefield was charging on the far outside. Bound By Honour ran by Spectacular Deal past the eighth pole then held off Edgefield by a neck as they crossed the wire.
The three year-old bay gelding was bred by Pleasant Valley Farm in Goshen, New York and is by Now Listen, out of the King Pellinore mare, La Reine Rose. Purchased as a weanling for $5,000, Bound By Honour has now earned an even $60,000 in six career starts and Pleasant Valley Farm has now won an even $12,000 in breeder's awards from the New York Breeding and Racing Program.

(11/12) Gone Musical at first asking
Chester and Mary Broman's homebred, GONE MUSICAL, bet down to the odds-on favorite in her initial outing easily defeated state-bred two year-olds today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trainer John Kimmel named Richard Migliore to ride and nine two year-old fillies went postward.
Breaking on top, Migliore grabbed hold of Gone Musical letting My Girl Nessa and Lady Commando take over while maintaining an outside path. But Migliore didn't sit quietly for long as Gone Musical dragged him to the lead and danced away from the field stopping the timer in 1:11 flat crossing the wire.
Bred at the Broman's Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, New York, Gone Musical is by Gone West out of the Dixieland Band mare, Igotrhythmn, who is a multiple graded stakes winner of $415,666. Gone Musical is the second foal out of Igotrhythmn, her first foal, Native Rhythmn (Woodman) won as a two year-old and was stakes placed. Mr. & Mrs. Broman have put together a formidable broodmare band and have had an excellent season to date.

(11/11) WHITE IBIS STARS ON STATE-BRED DAY By Bruno Zalubil

The New York Stallion Stakes - The Great White Way DivisionVIEW VIDEO
WHITE IBIS started off the four-race New York Stallion Stakes series when he cruised to victory in the Great White Way Division for juvenile colts and geldings at Aqueduct on Sunday.
The gray, who was ridden by Robbie Davis, came from off the pace and wore down Marine Salute in the stretch the win the 6-furlong race in 1:10 4/5.
Four stakes races, which all had $100,000 purses, highlighted the state breeding program: White Ibis won the Great White Way Division; Wake Up Kiss won the Perfect Arc Division for older fillies and mares at 1 mile on the turf; Princess Dixie won the Fifth Avenue Division for juvenile fillies at 6 furlongs; and Union One won the Cormorant Division for older males at 1 mile on the turf.
White Ibis was the most impressive of them all. He paid $2.70 for each $2 win wager and earned $60,000 for Quarter Keg Stable. He is now 3-0-2 record from five starts and earnings of $188,900. All three of his victories have been stakes races: the 7-furlong B.F. Bongard at Belmont on Sept. 30; the 1-mile Sleepy Hollow at Belmont on Oct. 20; and now the 6-furlong New York Stallion Stakes Great White Way Division. His two third-place finishes were in 6-furlong stakes races at Finger Lakes.
The son of Distinctive Pro, out of Wild Wings - who was bred by William Garbarini and Michael T. Martin - has positioned himself nicely for New York-bred honors.
"Hopefully, we locked up the New York-bred Two-Year-Old vote," DeStasio said. "We haven't thought about anything after this race. Our goal was to run in the three races we won. He's still got room to improve."
Davis, who has ridden White Ibis to all three of his victories, was impressed with his performance on Sunday. He stayed just behind pacesetter Marine Salute - :22 4/5 and :46 2/5 - and took the lead in midstretch.
"I didn't really get into him," Davis said. "I didn't want to beat him up. He was looking around a bit through the stretch but he's still a little immature. He'll be even better next year."
The "Great White Way" is the nickname for brightly lit Broadway Avenue in mid-town Manhattan.

The New York Stallion Stakes - The Perfect Arc Division VIEW VIDEO

Favorite Impeachable and second-favorite Lovely Amanda set the pace and battled down the stretch, but it was third-choice WAKE UP KISS who passed them both at the end to win the Perfect Arc Division.
Wake Up Kiss, under Edgar Prado, finished the 1-mile turf race in 1:37.
"She's got a ton of talent," said winning trainer H. James Bond. "Edgar had a little trouble getting her off the fence today but that's just because she's still inexperienced. I'm going to leave her on the grass. We'll take her to Florida and freshen her up. We should have fun with her next year."
Wake Up Kiss - a 3-year-old gray/roan daughter of Cure the Blues, out of Good Morning Smile - earned $60,000 for William Clifton Jr. and Rudlein Stable. She is now 3-0-1 from five career starts with earnings of $117,340.
She was bred by John Hettinger and sold for $150,000 at the 1999 Fasig-Tipton Keeneland July sale.
"She waited until the end and she went," Prado said. "She was going real well at the end. I think she will improve."
Lovely Amanda, under John Velazquez, finished second, a head back. Impeachable, the lukewarm 2-1 favorite, finished another 2æ lengths back.
Said Impeachable's jockey Richard Migliore: "She fought down the lane but she got tired. She hung in there really well."

The New York Stallion Stakes - The Fifth Avenue Division VIEW VIDEO

Edgar Prado and H. James Bond added a second consecutive victory on New York Stallion Stakes Day when PRINCESS DIXIE came from well off the pace to win the Fifth Avenue Division.
"She was very sharp today," Prado said about Princess Dixie. "I had a great trip and we had some pace to run at. She's very good. She should get the credit."
Princess Dixie is owned by James Edwards. The daughter of Dixie Brass, out of Princess Halo, was bred by CBF Corporation.
Princess Dixie, the 3-2 favorite, settled well behind a solid pace - :22 1/5 and :45 4/5. After a quarter mile, she was six lengths back. But, around the turn, she passed five horses and motored down the stretch to win the 6-furlong race in-hand in 1:11 1/5.
She increased her career record to 3-3-0 from six starts. All three second-place finishes were to Shesastonecoldfox, the New York-bred who took an undefeated record into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and finished last.
"If not for Shesastonecoldfox my filly would be unbeaten this year," Bond said. "She's just a little better than the horses in there. She ran huge today."
Princess Dixie's first-place check on Sunday was $60,000 and increased her career total to $201,840.

The New York Stallion Stakes - The Cormorant DivisionVIEW VIDEO

UNION ONE scraped the paint around the turn for home and followed the rail down the stretch to win the 1-mile grassy Cormorant Division in 1:36 2/5 under Richard Migliore.
"I just wanted to have a clean trip on this little turf course," Migliore said. "We were up close. I had to fight my way up the inside off the turn, otherwise I'm not sure if I would have gotten through. He was playing around a bit after he got in front. I roused him enough so he would win, but by no means was he all out."
Union One - a bay 4-year-old homebred gelding by Missionary Ridge, out of Just One Affair - earned $60,000 for Edward T. McGettigan. He is now 5-0-2 from nine starts with career earnings of $205,044. In addition to his strong record, Union One also has some black-type, having finished third in the Grade 3 Poker Handicap on July 4 at Belmont Park and the Grade 3 Cliffhanger Handicap on Sept. 22 at the Meadowlands.
"We're very happy with his race," said Jon Ferriday, the assistant to winning trainer Michael Dickinson. "He did it well. He showed his gameness today and he had to work for it. He was in tight coming off the turn but got through. He needed this. It was a good confidence builder for him. He's been in some real tough spots this year."
Union One paid $3.20 to win. Jini's Jet, under Dyn Panell, was second. Winloc's Nelson, under Herberto Castillo, Jr., was third.

(11/11) Too Scarlet wins fifth straight
Charles Hallas' TOO SCARLET beat open company allowance fillies and mares again; this time at Aqueduct Racetrack. She has now won five of her six lifetime starts and completed the NYRA 'cycle' having won at Saratoga and Belmont prior to today.
Trainer Kristina Dupps is making all the right choices and taking advantage of conditions which favor the outstanding New York-bred three year-old filly. Todays race was written for three years-old and Up fillies and mares that have never won Two races other than Maiden, Claiming, Starter, or Restricted. Since Too Scarlet won three times in restricted company she was still eligible for today's $45,000 allowance going seven furlongs.
As the gate opened, another New York-bred filly, Spavinaw, went to the front with Too Scarlet settling back in fourth position down the backside. Midway on the last turn, jockey Richard Migliore, moved Too Scarlet three wide and collared the leaders at the top of the stretch. Once cleared, Too Scarlet drew off to win by three lengths over Decadent Designer and Queen Candace.
Bred by Frank Stella at his Delehanty Stock Farm in Millbrook, New York, Too Scarlet is by Colonial Affair, out of the Two's a Plenty mare, Lady She is Too, who also produced stakes winner John Paul Too (Sea Hero) a winner of $276,204 and still racing. Too Scarlet has now earned $138,400 with a remarkable Lifetime Record: 6-5-1-0.

(11/10) Dat You Miz Blue romps at Meadowlands
Cynthia Knight's New York-bred, DAT YOU MIZ BLUE overwhelmed the field of fillies and mares tonight in the $75,000 Ready Jet Go Stakes at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, the four year-old bay filly was ridden to victory by John Velazquez.
Big Bambu, who had beaten Dat You Miz Blue at Saratoga Race Course earlier in the year, went to the top but was under pressure from La Galerie down the backside with Dat You Miz Blue sitting just behind the pair along the rail. As the field hit the top of the stretch, Velazquez took advantage of a huge gap along the inside and quickly ran through to take the lead. The rest is history, as she stormed down the stretch of the six furlong race while increasing her margin with every graceful stride stopping the timer in 1:08.2.
In her earlier defeat to Big Bambu in the Grade III Honorable Miss at Saratoga, trainer Jerkens was not pleased about the fact that the filly had drawn the inside post. Today, she broke from the three post position and acted like a different horse.
Bred by Landon Knight, the graded stakes winning Dat You Miz Blue is by Cure the Blues, out of the Wild Again mare, Emma Loves Marie. Dat You Miz Blue has now surpassed a half-million dollars in earnings ($502,065) with an impressive Lifetime Record: 20-9-6-1.

(11/10) Allowance to Power Choice
C'Est Tout Stable's POWER CHOICE dismissed at odds of 24-1 easily beat a state-bred allowance field today at Aqueduct Racetrack. The non-winner of 1X condition for 3 year-olds & up was run over the main track at seven furlongs. Trainer Mike Daggett had been running the three year-old chestnut colt at distances of a mile or over, both on the main and turf courses but decided a cut back in distance would be to Power Choice's advantage - and was he ever right!
As the gate opened, On Sabbatical went to his knees losing all chance, as Lake Marion was sent immediately to the lead. Power Choice, with Raul Rojas aboard took up the chase and was on even terms with the front runner by the half-mile pole under some testing fractions. After a very brief duel, Power Choice ran by Lake Marion opening up daylight on the field. Turning for home Power Choice charged off the turn and drew off to an easy score, paying $51.50 to his backers! The margin of victory was five lengths and Power Choice stopped the timer in 1:22 flat.
Bred by Howard Read, Power Choice is by Ends Well, out of Madame Mystique, by Sir Wimborne, and is a half-brother to Rate Base (Thunder Puddles) a winner of $180,893. Power Choice has now banked $90,840 in eighteen career starts.

(11/10) Summer Dust finds the right distance
After finishing second in his first two career starts at distances of six and six and one-half furlongs, the two year-old bay colt, SUMMER DUST found the seven furlong state-bred maiden race much to his liking today at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Tracking in behind the field as Ben's Good Deed set the pace, jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboard Summer Dust moved the two year-old colt into contention at the top of the stretch. Roused to action by Bridgmohan, Summer Dust charged to the lead and held off an equally determined Flying Sharp by a half length crossing the wire.
Owned by Robert Lothenbach, and bred by the partnership of Questroyal Stable, Barry Ostrager and Gary Mottola, Summer Dust is trained by hall of famer Phil Johnson. Summer Dust is by Summer Squal, out of the Gulch mare, Luscious Linda Sue, and was purchased as a yearling for $80,000.

GOLDEN FOIL (inside) noses out Light Up the Sky at the wire

(11/9) Golden Foil battles to beat allowance horses
William Condren's homebred, GOLDEN FOIL, ridden smartly by apprentice jockey Lorenzo Lezcano, beat state-bred allowance company, a non-winner of 2X condition for 3 year-old and up. Raced at a flat mile over the main track at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, New York, seven horses went to post to contest the $46,000 purse.
Shortly after the break, three horses vied for the lead, Detector along the inside, Actuary's Son on the outside and Light Up the Sky sandwiched in between; Golden Foil sat three lengths back of the contentious trio in fourth position. Midway in the last turn, Light Up the Sky emerged with the lead as both Actuary's Son and Detector faded, however Lezcano roused Golden Foil into contention while still hugging the rail. Joining up with Light Up the Sky at the eighth pole the pair dueled to the wire with Golden Foil winning by a head over his understandably tired rival.
Owned and bred by William J. Condren and trained by Nick Zito, Golden Foil is by Strike the Gold, out of the Hatchet Man mare, L'Epee, a multiple stakes winner of $332,781. The four year-old gray colt has now earned $127,040 with a Lifetime Record: 15-3-4-1.

LITTLE LORI LU (inside) holds off a fast closing Royal Performance

(11/9) Little Lori Lu breaks maiden
LITTLE LORI LU, sent to the front by jockey Raul Rojas, led every step of the six-furlong state-bred maiden race today at the Big A. The three year-old dark bay filly reeled off the last turn with a five-length lead but was starting to tire. Rojas vigorously rode the filly through the stretch and the tactic paid off as she just held off a fast closing Royal Performance by a neck crossing the wire.
Bred by Don Jones, and owned by Jones and Meadow Hill Lane Farm, Little Lori Lu is by Now Listen, out of Our Cute Mombo, by Mombo Jumbo. The dam, a sister to multiple stakes winner, My Cute Mombo, has also produced Rainmom, a stakes placed winner of $313,600.

(11/8) Shamrock Blues captures allowance
Einar Robsham's homebred, SHAMROCK BLUES, who broke her maiden in her last start came right back to take a state-bred allowance race for fillies and mares in a non-winner of 1X condition. Stretched out to one mile over the Aqueduct main track, trainer Carlos Martin named Jose Santos to ride and 10 went postward.
Breaking from the far outside, Santos kept the three year-old filly close to early pace in the run down the backstretch while maintaining an outside path. Moving to the leaders at the top of the stretch, Shamrock Blues charged to the lead, gradually extending the margin to three and one-half lengths crossing the wire.

(11/8) Nypuddles no longer a bridesmaid
Lou Meittinis's homebred, NYPUDDLES, who had finished second on three occasions in her first four lifetime starts, found the one mile distance to her liking to break her maiden. The two year-old filly is trained by Meittinis and Jose Santos was the rider in the nine horse field at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Breaking from the outside post position, Santos kept the two year-old chestnut filly just behind the first group of fillies on an outside path. The front runner, Dead of Winter, set the pace but was under steady pressure from Me Me Me Me and By My Way. Moving steadily up the backstretch, Santos moved Nypuddles up to challenge the leaders at the top of the stretch and ran by Me Me Me Me to win by three lengths.
Nypuddles is by Ormsby, out of New York Issue, by Little Missouri, and has now earned $49,800 in five lifetime starts and another $9,960 in breeder's awards from the New York Breeding and Racing Program.

(11/8) Blue's Magee wires field
Aron Yagoda's BLUE'S MAGEE, entered for a claiming tag of $65,000 went wire to wire today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Raced at six furlongs, trainer Dominic Galluscio named John Velazquez to ride in the open claimer and the purse was a healthy $43,000.
Breaking cleanly, Blue's Magee was quickly in front and set a pressured pace to the top of the stretch. Once straightened for home, the two year-old dark bay filly drew off from the field and coasted under the wire a five and one-half length winner.
Bred by Jo Halleck Finley at her Fawnridge Farm in East Chatham, New York, Blue's Magee is by Mighty Magee, out of the Talc mare, Talcum Blue, who also produced the stakes winning Company Girl (Cormorant). Blue's Magee has now won $58,600 in four career. For today's victory in open company, Mr. Yagoda will earn an owner's award of 20% of the winner's purse or $5,160 and Ms. Finley will also earn a breeder's award of 20% of the winner's purse or $5,160 - all part of the lucrative New York Breeding and Racing Program.
Mighty Magee, a son of Cormorant, stands at Dr. Jerry Bilinski's Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, New York.

(11/6) Rapunzell wires allowance at Big A
Albert Fried, Jr.'s homebred, RAPUNZELL, beat state-bred allowance horses today, Election Day, at Aqueduct Racetrack. Racing against a non-winner of 2X condition field, trainer Todd Pletcher named John Velazquez to ride as eight fillies and mares went to post.
Breaking from the outside post position, Velazquez gunned Rapunzell to the top and set the pace. Crafty Spender challenged briefly in the last turn, but Velazquez let out a notch and Rapunzell danced away from the field, winning by almost four lengths.
By Miswaki, the four year-old filly is out of the Irish Tower mare, Towering Success, who also produced multiple Grade I winner Affirmed Success (Affirmed) - $1,777,394. The stakes placed Rapunzell has now earned $134,693 with a Lifetime Record:14-3-2-6 and when done racing will be added to Mr. Fried's already impressive broodmare band at Buttonwood Farm in Rhinebeck, New York.

(11/4) Golden Contender wins allowance at Big A
Flying Zee Stables' homebred, GOLDEN CONTENDER, beat state-bred allowance horses today in a non-winner of 1X condition run at one and one-eighth mile over the main track at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trained by Luis Barrera and ridden by Ariel Smith, Golden Contender was making his twenty-first lifetime start.
Nature's Pick led the way from the break and was under attack from J S Mosby and Sea Elephant as they turned for home with Golden Contender still locked in along the rail. Smith managed to angle his way to the outside path for a clear run and charged down the middle of the track for the victory.
The three year-old dark bay colt is by Key Contender, out of Golden Sweetheart, by Strike Gold, and is a half-brother to stakes winner Noble Sweetheart (Noble Nashua).
The sire, Key Contender stands at Carl Lizza and Joe Bartone's Highcliff Farm in Delanson, New York.

(11/4) Center breaks maiden at the Big A
Making his second lifetime start, two year-old CENTER bounded off the last turn to take the lead from Hamanjiz in a one mile race over Aqueduct's main track and drew off to win by almost three lengths.
Ridden by Jerry Bailey for trainer Bill Mott, Center is by Gulch, out of the Storm Bird mare, Storm Attack, who's a half-sister to multiple European graded stakes winner Glacial Storm, by Arctic Tern. New York-bred Center was purchased out of the 2000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Yearling Sale for $47,000 by Gary West.

ELECTRA Q SHUN (outside) puts neck in front of Graze at the wire

(11/4) Electra Q Shun takes open claimer
In for a claiming tag of $30,000, New York-bred ELECTRA Q SHUN battled through the stretch with Graze and narrowly won by a head at the Big A. Bred by Sun Mar Stables, Electra Q Shun is by Anjiz, out of the Fappiano mare, Bai Shun. The four year-old dark bay gelding has now earned $129,420 and is owned by the partnership of Chapman, Gordon and Stiegal, who earn an owner's award of $3,240 for the open company score.

(11/4) Blue Iris upsets in allowance
Joe Lostritto's homebred, BLUE IRIS, stormed down the stretch to upset a field of state-bred allowance fillies and mares in a non-winner of 2X condition at Aqueduct Racetrack. Lostritto, who also trains the four year-old gray filly, opted to race in this spot even though she was still eligible for a non-winner of 1X condition and named Jose Santos to ride.
Richie's Girls took command of the one and one-eighth mile turf race from the outset but tired badly in the middle of the last turn as Brandala and Bid's Femme ran by with Blue Iris taking up the chase. Once straightened for the homestretch, Santos set Blue Iris down and she enthusiastically blew by the formerly mentioned Brandala and Bid's Femme drawing off to an easy score.
Blue Iris is by Black Tie Affair, out of Lovely Lei, by Our Native, and is a half-sister to stakes placed winner Hurricane Disaster (Cormorant). Blue Iris has now banked $69,880 with a Lifetime Record: 11-2-1-1.

(11/3) Quiet Ruler captures high-priced claimer at the Big A.
New York-bred QUIET RULER stormed off the last turn under jockey John Velazquez to beat fellow New York-bred Captain Nicholas at the Big A. Raced over the turf in a one-mile $50,000 claiming race, Captain Nicholas battled from the gate to mid-stretch with Drumcliff before putting that one away but couldn't hold off Quiet Ruler in the final sixteenth and finished second.
Trained by Russell Mueller, Quiet Ruler is owned by Shadow Roll Farm and Old Brookside Farm and was bred by Gallagher's Stud in Ghent, New York. The three year-old gelding is by Woodman, out of the Riverman mare, Rivermorn, who is a half-sister the multiple Grade I Millionaire Alphabatim (Verbatim). Quiet Ruler has now won $88,530 with a Lifetime Record: 19-2-3-2.

(11/3) Blue Burn breaks maiden at Aqueduct Racetrack
Suzanne Jagar's BLUE BURN broke his maiden today in his second lifetime start for trainer Jonathan Buckley. Buckley thought enough of the two year-old chestnut colt to enter him in a restricted stakes at Finger Lakes Racetrack in his first start, a race in which he didn't totally disappoint finishing second beaten one and one-half-lengths to Wild Slew. Shipping downstate from Farmington, New York with the colt and trainer was jockey Patrick Buckley for the six furlong maiden over Aqueduct Racetrack's main track.
First out of the gate were Michael's Temper and Artistic Awareness, with Blue Burn content to sit well off the early pace. The pair battled head to head throughout through the early going setting up Blue Burn nicely for the stretch run. Charging off the last turn, Buckley had Blue Burn firing on all cyclinders and the good-looking chestnut powered to the lead and the victory.
Bred by CBF Corporation, Blue Burn is by Cure the Blues, out of the graded stakes winning Halo mare, Solar Halo.

(11/2) Lady Groush takes Big A opener
Rudlein Stables homebred, LADY GROUSH, broke her maiden today against state-bred fillies and mares. The first race was run over Aqueduct's turf course at a distance of one and one-sixteenth mile. Trainer H. James Bond, gave a leg up to Edgar Prado as nine went postward.
Coming by the grandstand for the first time, Ma Femme was in front and setting a hot pace while under pressure from Dancing Indiscreet with Lady Groush sitting well off the pace. Around the last turn, Prado moved Lady Groush wide and overtook the lead at the top of the stretch opening up a six length lead but was under a drive to hold off a late closing Ceol Na Mara by three-quarters of a length.
Lady Groush is a three year-old bay filly by Cure the Blues, out of Clint's Sec, by Secretariat, and is a full-sister to Mr. Groush, a graded stakes placed winner of $516,878.

(11/2) Bound By Honour takes Big A finale
Old Brookside Farm's BOUND BY HONOUR roared off the last turn and ran down the Brassheart to take the last race on the card at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, New York. Jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr., had the mount for trainer Russell Mueller in the state-bred maiden race which was run at a distance of one and one-sixteenth mile over the turf.
Brassheart was quickest away from the gate and led the field into the first turn with O'dassuny settling into second. As the field headed down the backside, Bound By Honour was rated well off the pace and didn't begin his move until the last turn. Moving wide around the last turn, Arroyo had Bound By Honour poised to strike by the top of the stretch and once urged ran by Brassheart, opening up a four length lead crossed the wire as much the best.
Bred by Pleasant Valley Farm in Goshen, New York, the three year-old dark bay gelding is by Now Listen, out of La Reine Rose, by King Pellinore. Bound By Honour was purchased as a weanling for $5,000 and has now earned $33,600 in four lifetime starts with a seamingly bright career ahead of him on the turf.

(11/1) Davy Jones takes allowance
Owner/trainer J. Willard Thompson's DAVY JONES beat state-bred allowance horses for a non-winner of 2X condition today over the turf at Aqueduct Racetrack. Raced at a distance of one and one-eight mile, Thompson named C. C. Lopez to ride, and nine horses went to the gate with Whitmore's Conn sent off as the lukewarm betting favorite.
Away from the gate in good order, Lopez had Davy Jones sitting in second position as Cozy Dance opened up a six length lead, however Cozy Dance quickly relinguished the lead coming out of the first turn, with Davy Jones moving through on the inside to take command down the backside. Setting the pace, the three year-old gelding was roused by Lopez at the top of the stretch and drew clear of the field, holding off Bicentennial by a length crossing the wire.
Bred by Roger Toffolon, Davy Jones is by Sea Salute, out of the Fast Play mare, Lady by Design, who also produced multiple stakes winner Maddie May (Not For Love), with earnings of $271,966 and was the recent winner of the Iroquois Handicap on New York Showcase. Davy Jones has now banked $107,540 with a Lifetime Record: 13-4-1-2.
The sire, Sea Salute is a second crop sire who is quietly putting together some nice numbers and who's progeny has earned over $850,000 this year. Sea Salute was moved at the end of this season from Lakland North Farm in Hudson, New York to Liberty Stud in nearby Ghent, New York.

(11/1) Tsuyu
Barry K. Schwartz' homebred, TSUYU, broke her maiden in today's finale at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, New York. Racing against state-bred fillies and mares in a six furlong race over the main track, trainer Mike Hushion named Edgar Prado to ride, and eight went to post with Tsuyu the odds-on betting favorite.
Springing from the gate, Tsuyu quickly took command of the race up the backside with Madame Viceroy B B stalking her while positioned on Tsuyu's outside flank. Once straightened for home, Prado turned the three year-old bay filly loose and she promptly opened up three lengths, and was kept to a drive to the wire.
Tsuyu started her racing career in California, racing twice at Hollywood Park this past spring, finishing eight over the turf and fifth in her previous maiden race. Foaled at Schwartz' Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, Tsuyu is by Rahy, out of Wings Point, by Alydar.