With Dylan Davis pinch-hitting for the injured Frankie Dettori, favored Bostontonian prevailed by two lengths in the $131,892 Aspirant Stakes at Finger Lakes on Monday.
The Aspirant and its sister race, the $98,912 Lady Finger Stakes, won by Stone Smuggler, are for New York-bred 2-year-olds and are the local preps for the $200,000-added New York Breeders’ Futurity on Oct. 21 at Finger Lakes.
Bostontonian, from the final crop of Bernardini, is now unbeaten in two starts for trainer Wesley Ward and the partnership of R.T Racing Stable, Smart Choice Stable, and Denlea Park. The gelding won his debut in an auction maiden race in June at Churchill Downs.
On Monday, Bostontonian assumed command by three lengths through an opening quarter in 22.64 seconds on a sloppy, sealed track. King's Leap gave chase and narrowed the lead to a length around the turn, but the threat proved not to be serious as Bostontonian kept driving through the stretch for a handy win.
Soontobeking came on for second - his second consecutive stakes placing in this division - by 1 1/2 lengths over King's Leap. They were followed by Don Luis, Cast a Coin, Mr. Sugar Daddy, Arch's Assault, and Yoheda Money Maker.
Bostontonian finished the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.21, giving Davis, who tied for third by wins at this summer's Saratoga meet, his 15th stakes win of the year. Bostontonian paid $3.50.
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Earlier on the card, Stone Smuggler ($4.10) led throughout to capture the Lady Finger under Keiber Coa, with Mischief Lady and Davis chasing throughout in second. They were followed, in order, by Idyll Gossip, Princess Mischief, Triple Sweet, and Who's Got the Tip.
Stone Smuggler finished the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:06.03.
Stone Smuggler, by New York freshman Honest Mischief, is trained by Jorge Abreu for NY Final Furlong Racing Stable and SunsetRidge Racing Stable. The filly came into the Lady Finger a maiden, but was sent off favored on the strength of her debut when she ran on well for second going six furlongs in a statebred maiden race on Aug. 22 at Saratoga.
Although she was beaten 11 1/2 lengths by With the Angels, that rival flattered her by coming back to dominate the Joseph A. Gimma for statebreds Sunday at Aqueduct.
While Bostontonian and Stone Smuggler are rising stars in the state-bred ranks, Rotknee is a well-established older horse. The 5-year-old notched his seventh win against New York-breds in the $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial Stakes one race after the Aspirant.
Rotknee ($3.10), under Andre Worrie, broke slowly but quickly rushed up to press Lady's Golden Guy, a two-time winner of this race, through the opening quarter. He took over and held a five-length lead at the quarter pole, and was kept to task through the lane, winning by 5 3/4 lengths. He finished the six furlongs in 1:11.20.
The Institute was second, followed by Tacony Road, Lady's Golden Guy, Pompous Prince, and Allure of Money.
Rotknee, trained by Mike Maker for owner-breeder William Butler, had previously won the 2022 Damon Runyon at Aqueduct, 2022 Mike Lee at Belmont Park, 2022 Ontario County at Finger Lakes, 2023 Hudson at Aqueduct, 2024 Say Florida Sandy at Aqueduct, and 2024 Affirmed Success at Aqueduct.
He placed in a pair of stakes against open company last year at Aqueduct, running third in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap and second in the Gravesend Stakes.
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