A pair of late-developing 2-year-olds had their chance to shine at Aqueduct Racetrack Saturday afternoon, with Buddy’s Saint running off with the Grade 2, $150,000 Nashua and Ailalea victorious in the Grade 3, $106,500 Tempted for fillies.

In the Nashua, Kingfield Stables’ Buddy’s Saint officially broke his maiden in style, drawing off to win by 12 lengths under a hand ride by jockey Jose Lezcano.

In his only previous start, a maiden contest at Belmont on September 26, the Saint Liam colt prevailed by a head, but was disqualified to second after bumping Global Force in the stretch.

Saturday afternoon at Aqueduct, Buddy’s Saint encountered no such problems, shaking off the rest of the field nearing the quarter pole in the one-mile race and steadily widening his lead to hit the wire in 1:35.67.

“I know he got taken down [in his first start], and he was a maiden, but if he had won, we were going to run him in this race so I decided not to change direction,” said winning trainer Bruce Levine. “He trains super and I knew he’d want the distance. Originally we were going to sit outside [Toboggan Slide] – I thought he would go to the lead and we’d maybe stalk – but he broke sharp and just kept going.”

Buddy’s Saint earned $90,000 for his win in the Nashua and returned $9.90 for a $2 win bet. Levine said he would point the colt toward the Grade 2, $200,000 Remsen Stakes at 1?-miles on November 28.

Thank U Philippe was second and favored Toboggan Slide was third. Systemic Risk, Quick Ride and Enigmatic completed the order of finish.

Ailalea

Starlight Partners’ Ailalea captured her first stakes win in the Tempted after breaking her maiden impressively last month at Belmont Park.

The Pulpit filly galloped along inside and sat well off early fractions of 23.42 and 46.34 set by Nonna Mia. Making her move on the turn, she overtook the pacesetter in the stretch and finished 1¼ lengths in front of late-running Mambo Fever.

“We anticipated a run like that and we were certainly hoping for one,” said Jonathan Thomas, assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “She’s showing more professionalism in the way she’s handling raceday scenarios and we’ve been very happy with the way she’s training.”

With the $63,900 she earned today, Ailalea nearly tripled her bankroll to $98,300 and returned $5.40 as the favorite in the field of six.

Nonna Mia held on for third and Tizahit, Kitty in a Tizzy and Worstcasescenario completed the order of finish. Cuff Me was scratched.