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Bank Sting Dominant In Staten Island At Aqueduct

Hidden Brook Farm's and Joseph and Anne McMahon's Bank Sting opened up in the stretch to easily take down the first of two New York Stallion Series Stakes on Sunday's card at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y., earning her second career stakes win in the $150,000 Staten Island division for eligible state-sired fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going seven furlongs over the main track.

Bank Sting, who earned her first stakes victory in the Critical Eye at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., in May, improved off a fifth in the Empire Distaff last time out to secure her fifth win of the year for trainer John Terranova. Bank Sting has found an affinity for Aqueduct, scoring four of her five career wins at the Big A.

Ridden by Dylan Davis from post 4, Bank Sting broke inwardly and, along with Mad for Fame from post 2, squeezed Trinni Luck in post 3 at the start. Post-time favorite The Important One was sent to the lead by Jose Lezcano shortly after the break and was quickly overtaken by Trinni Luck, who led the field of seven through an opening quarter in :22.60. After taking the lead again around the half-mile pole, The Important One notched the half-mile in :46.10 while Bank Sting remained in third, three lengths off the pace while racing two-wide down the backstretch.

Closing the gap between The Important One and a tiring Trinni Luck, Davis angled Bank Sting six-wide to the outside of The Important One, overtaking the lead at the eighth pole and never looking back. Widening her margin under a hand ride from Davis, Bank Sting crossed the wire 8 ¼ lengths in front, stopping the clock in 1:26.27 over the fast track.

Byehubbyhellomoney made up ground on the rail to overtake second by 1 1/2-lengths from The Important One, who held onto third by a neck over Awillaway. Rounding out the order of finish was Fight On Lucy, Mad for Fame, and Trinni Luck.

Davis, who rode the Central Banker filly for the first time in the Staten Island, said Bank Sting was comfortable the whole way to victory.

“It was pretty much a perfect setup for her,” he said. “She's a nice filly and she tries hard. She broke well and I was able to get into a good tracking position. I just didn't want to have too much for her to do being that was my first time being on her. She engaged at the two-and-a-half on her own, I just allowed her to keep her stride going. I didn't want to get in her way. After that, I got her out in the clear and she responded well and went all the way nicely to the wire.”

Terranova said he was pleased to see his filly give a big effort in the Staten Island after her summer and fall schedule were disrupted after being scratched at the gate in the Grade 3 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.Y., this summer.

“She's trained really well,” he said of the leadup to the Staten Island. “We were a little hurried with her after the incident at Monmouth in July. She missed most of the summer and we were hurrying up to make Empire Showcase Day. We jumped into the Distaff and the conditions were sloppy and it was her first race back. Ideally, if we had got a prep race going into that, it probably would have helped her cause. She came out of that race well and trained forward. Every day has been a good day since then.”

After her memorable Staten Island performance, Terranova said he has not yet decided on the next race for the 4-year-old filly.

“It set up great. The two speeds were in there and Dylan has been on her in the morning, so he knew she could do a little bit of anything,” Terranova said. “There was going to be a pace to run into, so we were hoping they'd come back to us a little bit. I'm proud of her. She's been a special New York-bred for us. We'll take it one race at a time with her.”

Eric Cancel, jockey of runner-up Byhubbyhellomoney, said the filly's patience allowed her to make up ground late to secure place honors.

“The filly ran very good,” Cancel said. “The pace was a little quick for her, but she did what she always does – she sits and makes a run from the quarter-pole down. I was glad the whole rail opened up for me.”

Bred in New York by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Bank Sting earned $82,500 for her victory to increase her total career earnings to $351,300 and improve her record to 7-5-0-0. She returned $7.90 for a $2 win ticket.

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Live racing resumes Thursday with an eight-race card to kick off the winter meet at the Big A. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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Hungry For Success: Full Brothers Chowda, Lobsta Entered In Sunday’s New York-Bred Stakes

Eddie Fazzone, managing partner of Eddie F's Racing and proprietor of the popular Saratoga Springs restaurant Eddie F's Eatery, will look to satisfy his hunger for another stakes win by sending out full-brothers Chowda and Lobsta in Sunday's $150,000 NYSSS Thunder Rumble at the Big A.

The Gary Sciacca-trained duo, by Emcee and out of the Chief Seattle mare Salty Little Sis, were both bred in the Empire State by John Jayko's Fedwell Farm. Last year, the now 4-year-old Chowda won the Gander at Aqueduct to provide the partnership their first stakes win. Lobsta rolled into this year's edition of the Gander from a 5 3/4-length maiden romp but had to settle for second in a race won by Nicky the Vest.

Fazzone said the partnership, which includes Ross Lackey and Fazzone's brother-in-law Don Wilock, have been overwhelmed by the brother's success.

“It's pretty amazing. When you go into this as a small group, you don't expect to be winning stakes races,” Fazzone said. “It was a big thrill to win the Gander with Chowda and then for his brother to come back and run second in the same race the following year was big too. These two guys have been a joy for us.”

The brothers were both purchased privately from the breeder and Fazzone said Eddie F's Racing will soon have another appetizing racing prospect from the talented family.

“We also have a half-brother named Oysta, who will be two in January,” Fazzone added. “He's on a farm in Virginia so you'll see him next year. He's by Micromanage.”

Fazzone, who lamented missing out on Salty Heir, a 2-year-old full brother to Oysta also trained by Sciacca, campaigns another pair of half-siblings bred in New York by Fedwell Farm in the 3-year-old gelding Dreampoint, by Point of Entry, and 2-year-old filly Dream Central, by Central Banker, who are out of the Deputy Wild Cat mare Dreamed to Dream.

Dream Central is entered in Race 2 on Saturday at the Big A, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight for New York-bred fillies to be contested over the outer turf.

But while Dream Central is a 30-1 longshot in search of a first win, Chowda and Lobsta have established strong form as they prepare to square off in Sunday's seven-furlong sprint for eligible state-sired 3-year-olds and up on Closing Day of the Big A fall meet.

Chowda has won 3-of-4 starts at Aqueduct and enters from a strong third in an open 1 1/16-mile allowance tilt on October 24 at Belmont that was won by subsequent Discovery winner Miles D for trainer Chad Brown.

Lobsta has posted six starts in his sophomore campaign for a record of 2-1-2, including a score in a one-mile state-bred optional-claimer in March at the Big A.

He enters from third-place finishes in the seven-furlong Mike Lee in May at Belmont and the 1 1/16-mile New York Derby in July at Finger Lakes, which was won by Americanrevolution who will contest Saturday's Grade 1 Cigar Mile presented by NYRA Bets for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

“These two run hard every time. Lobsta ran third in the New York Derby against that monster of Todd's that's running tomorrow in the Cigar Mile,” Fazzone said. “He's been off since then and is training really well. It's his first race back and we're hoping for the best with him.

“Chowda ran a great race in an allowance on October 24 against Chad's horse who ran third in the Travers and came back and won a stake last week,” Fazzone continued. “Chowda is training great and we're hoping they both run really big on Sunday.”

Both horses posted bullet half-mile works over the Belmont dirt training track in their most recent preparations with Chowda breezing in 48.70 seconds on December 1 and Lobsta working in 47 flat on November 27.

“They always train well. They just like to go. If you go back and look at all their works, they're always right around the bullet work for the day. They're both doing well right now,” Fazzone said.

Fazzone credits Sciacca, who recently secured his 1000th career win, with keeping both horses at the top of their game.

“He's done a great job for me and my partnership and he's a great horseman,” Fazzone said. “He's really one of the last real true New York trainers around. Going back to the early 80s, there's not many guys left that are born and bred New York guys. Gary is one of those guys and he's been training with the best of them. He does an incredible job.”

Fazzone said that Chowda and Lobsta have generated a lot of attention for his restaurant and even piqued the interest of some of his patrons to join the ownership ranks.

“I try to keep to keep the partnerships small,” Fazzone said. “I buy a majority and then piece them off so people have an opportunity. On Chowda, it's me, Ross and Don. With Lobsta, it's just Ross and I alone. I have some horses that have seven partners – just customers that come to the restaurant and want to come in.”

While the restaurant will be closed on Sunday with the team already en route to the city to attend the race, Fazzone said he knows there will be a large cheering section upstate watching Chowda and Lobsta mix it up in the Thunder Rumble.

“When Saratoga starts up and people start coming to town that's when I get really busy. We've got big support from the locals. They love to watch the horses and cheer them on,” Fazzone said. “It's been a lot of fun. Hopefully, these guys run a big race for us on Sunday.”

And should Chowda or Lobsta happen to win, there's still one week left to celebrate the experience at Eddie F's Eatery before it closes for the season.

“Next Saturday is my last day and then we close down until February 16 when we re-open and get ready for another great season,” Fazzone said. “It's grown every year and gotten more popular. We had a great summer and spring.”

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Sport Model Finishes Strong In Cupecoy’s Joy Win

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Sport Model handled a class boost with aplomb, taking command at the top of the stretch and drawing off to a half-length victory in Saturday's $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Cupecoy's Joy division over the Widener turf course at Belmont Park in Elmont, Ny.

Trained by Christophe Clement, the daughter of Freud arrived at the seven-furlong test for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies off a third-out maiden victory for a $40,000 tag going six furlongs over the Widener on May 7.

Expertly piloted by Luis Saez, Sport Model tracked to the outside, just behind last-out stakes winner Shaker Shack, who produced fractions of :23.22 and :46.15 over the firm turf.

Saez gave Sport Model her cue late in the turn and overtook Shaker Shack just inside the quarter-pole. Funwhileitlasted launched a menacing bid in the final furlong, but Sport Model prevailed in a final time of 1:21.16. It was another 1½ lengths back to Shaker Shack, who held on for third.

Completing the order of finish were Shesadirtydancer, Big Time Lady, Show Me the Honey, Lot of Honey, Adriatic Rose, Ava's Grace, and Proper Grammar.

“She's progressing. She was very good today,” said Saez, who also rode Lady Joan to victory in the 2017 Cupecoy's Joy. “I needed the pony going out because she's so strong. I knew I had a lot of horse, and, when we got to the top of the stretch, she just took off. She was battling. When she felt the pressure coming, she gave me another gear.”

Clement, who also saddled last-place finisher Proper Grammar, praised Saez for a picture-perfect ride.

“I liked both fillies going in, but obviously one was very disappointing and the other ran very well,” said Clement, who earned his third stakes triumph of the Belmont spring/summer meet. “Luis gave her a great ride. He was always very comfortable, and she was the best horse today, which is nice.”

Clement said the $150,000 NYSSS Statue of Liberty, a one-mile turf test for sophomore fillies on August 4 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, Ny. will likely be Sport Model's next task.

Sport Model, who returned $14.60 for a $2 win wager, was bred in the Empire State by Mr. and Mrs. James P. Curran and Dr. and Mrs. John McDermott. She is out of the black-type producing Rockport Harbor mare Just Say Hey and is a half-sibling to stakes-winner Twirling Devon. Sport Model was purchased for $100,000 from Thorndale Farm's consignment at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred Yearling Sale.

Live racing resumes on Sunday at Belmont with a 10-race program headlined by the Grade 3, $250,000 Poker going one mile over the Widener turf course for older horses. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.

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Addition Of Blinkers Helps Shaker Shack Score In NYSS Park Avenue Division

Roddy Valente and Darlene Bilinski's Shaker Shack fended off a stretch challenge from Shesadirtydancer to capture the 28th running of the $200,000 Park Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

The dark bay or brown daughter of Bustin Stones, who stands at Waldorf Farm for $2,500, arrived at the 6 ½-furlong event for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies off a sharp second-place finish to next out winner Betsy Blue on a muddy Big A main track on March 25.

Exiting post 5 under Jose Ortiz, who was crowned leading rider of the 11-day boutique Aqueduct spring meet, Shaker Shack broke sharply and matched strides with Laura's Bellamy to her inside as the pair went a swift 22.07 seconds for the opening quarter-mile over the fast main track.

Around the far turn, the leaders were met with a new challenger as Shesadirtydancer loomed large from the three path. Laura's Bellamy relinquished as the field reached the quarter-pole leaving Shaker Shack and Shesadirtydancer by themselves on the front end. The two fillies duked it out until Shaker Shack edged clear inside the sixteenth-pole and secured the 1 ½-length victory in a final time of 1:17.75.

A late-rallying Bustin Bay finished another four lengths back in third. Laura's Bellamy, Jill's A Hot Mess and 3-5 post time favorite Laobanonaprayer completed the order of finish.

The triumph provided veteran conditioner Patrick Reynolds with his first stakes win since Baby J captured the Catinca in October 2013 at Belmont Park.

Reynolds said Trevor McCarthy, who piloted Shaker Shack in her three prior starts, suggested the addition of blinkers for the Park Avenue.

“We worked her out of the gate and Trevor suggested that [adding blinkers]. Jose is so good out of the gate and he knows how to relax them. The blinkers helped,” Reynolds said. “She's not one of those horses who comes over here prancing and dancing and really tough. I put the rider up and she's all business.

“She's a perfect filly to have and easy to train,” Reynolds added. “The owners have been terrific. They bred her and she's part of the New York program. It was their decision to come here and I went along with it. I knew the 1-horse [Laobanonaprayer] was tough, but it was a little short for her. We got away and hung on and won.”

Reynolds said Shaker Shack shows similar determination during morning training.

“Even in her workouts, she would hang in there with $50,000 horses before she ever ran,” Reynolds said. “I worked her with an older horse before I ran her and she was game all the way.”

Ortiz concurred that blinkers moved Shaker Shack up.

“The blinkers helped a lot,” Ortiz said. “A lot of credit to Trevor who told me that the blinkers would help her a lot, and they did. Patrick did an amazing job like he always does. He doesn't have a lot of horses, but I sure love to ride for him.”

Shaker Shack more than doubled her lifetime earnings to $156,445 through a 5-2-2-0 record.

Bred in the Empire State by Roddy Valente and Dr. Jerry Bilinksi, Shaker Shack is out of the Disco Rico mare Disco Shaker, making her a full-sister to stakes-winner Bustin Out.

Live racing resumes on Thursday for Opening Day of the spring/summer meet at beautiful Belmont Park with an eight-race program. First post is 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

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