Speedy Go Go Shoot, owned by former Duke University and National Basketball Association star Bobby Hurley, shot to the lead Monday afternoon under jockey C. C. Lopez and held on for a neck victory in the 107th running of the $80,100 Fred “Cappy” Capossela for three-year-olds at six furlongs on Aqueduct’s inner dirt track.

Although it rained overnight, Presidents’ Day at Aqueduct dawned with cloudy skies, a strong wind and temperatures around 60 degrees – about 20 degrees above normal for February in Queens, N.Y. The track, however, was listed as “fast” for the “Cappy,” a race formerly known as the Swift Stakes but renamed in 1993 for New York late’s and legendary track announcer.

Go Go Shoot, carrying top weight of 122 pounds and making only he fourth start of his career, spotted his rivals six pounds in the “Cappy,” but as he did in his 3 ½-length victory here in the six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield on January 21, the Songandaprayer gelding made no pretense about wanting the lead.

With Accredit and jockey Mike Luzzi never less than two lengths behind, Go Go Shoot broke from post 3 and got over to the rail, clicking off fractions of :22.60; :45.71 and :57.89.

Lopez rode his mount confidently, but had to work hard in the final furlong as Accredit never quit and Laysh Laysh Laysh came with a late run up the rail under jockey Mario Pino. Lopez, however, never gave up position, which kept Laysh Laysh Laysh at bay – Pino had to check late -- and the wire arrived in time to make Go Go Shoot a winner in 1:10.73.

Favored by the crowd of 3,618, Go Go Shoot returned $5.10 to win.

“I was a little concerned when I saw the sixth race go in 1:15 and change,” said winning trainer Jim Ryerson. “I thought it was going to be a little tiring and he was carrying a lot of weight. Plus, Law N Dora and Accredit ran well against him last time. He got a little looser on the lead than I thought he would. You have to give the other two horses credit; they both ran well.

“When we gelded him this summer, he was a totally changed horse. He is very laid back, mentally. Looking ahead, there is a three-quarter overnight stake coming up. , (Sprinting) may be what he wants to do, but you have to try going farther sometime. You may have to think a little bit about the Gotham [Grade 3, $250,000, 3yo, mile and a sixteenth, Aqueduct inner track, Saturday, March 8] or maybe a bigger one-turn race. There is also the Bay Shore [Grade 3, $150,000, 3yo, seven furlongs, Aqueduct main track, Wood Memorial Day, Saturday, April 5]. We have a lot of options.”

Lopez was both happy and grateful with the victory, as he filled in for Go Go Shoot’s regular jockey, Alan Garcia, who rode Divine Park in the General George at Laurel on Monday. Divine Park broke through the gate before the start, lost all interest and finished last.

Lopez owes him one.

“It is always nice when they run like that,” said Lopez, who is known as a speed rider. “He ran his eyeballs out. I drew the stick at the end, just as a precaution. Yesterday, Alan Garcia told me this horse was right up my alley. He said, `Try not to grab him too much.’ I would like to thank him for that advice.”

Law N Dora and Red Reef completed the order of finish.