Adam Coglianese Photo

Abientot employs late outside surge to win G3 Matron

by Brian Bohl

Tracy Farmer’s Abientot waited until late to make a move but jockey Dylan Davis pushed the button at the right time, allowing his charge to overtake three rivals from the far outside to secure the win by a neck in Sunday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Matron, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for juvenile fillies, at Belmont at the Big A.

Abientot, who broke her maiden at second asking in July at Saratoga Race Course, was making her third stakes start for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse and notched her first win against elevated class with a stalking trip.

Flirting With Time led the full 12-horse field through the opening quarter-mile in 21.58 seconds and the half in 44.48 over the firm going. Abientot, who broke from post 10, was near the rear of the field exiting the turn with a six-wide run, but the position allowed open daylight in front.

The Not This Time filly had plenty in reserve under Davis’ encouragement, using the open outside lane to pick off competitors one by one and then overtaking Laurice, Yougottahavehope and Civetta in the shadow of the wire, completing the course in 1:08.31 for her second win in five starts overall.

Civetta edged Yougottahavehope by a half-length for runner-up honors, while 2-1 favorite Will Not Be Swayed finished fourth. Laurice, Pop Idol, Baytown Butterfly, Miriam’s Fire, Flirting With Time, I’mwishingonastar, Serene Spirit and Second Chance completed the order of finish.

“She’s just tiny and we’ve been able to bring her along since April,” said Shane Tripp, assistant to Casse. “She’s a barn favorite. The way she came home today was unbelievable and Dylan has got to be one of the better riders on the planet right now. We’re blessed to have him in our life.”

Added Davis: “She ran great. Impressive race. She just keeps putting up one better performance after another. I wanted to be involved and have a good break. I thought maybe mid-pack would be the best place to be. I broke her and came out with some intention, but they were just running her off her feet - so, Plan B, sit back. I tried to save as much ground as possible.”

Abientot, off at 5-1, paid $12.20 on a $2 win bet. After finishing third in the Untapable with a wide trip last month at Kentucky Downs, she made a triumphant return to Aqueduct, where she finished fourth in her debut in June. The victory improved her career earnings to $255,400.

“She has a lot of heart,” Tripp said. “She’s real gritty and honest. She trains real forwardly and she’s good to be around. I didn’t think she’d come home like she did and that maybe we’d have a different result, but once he tipped her out and she went to running… I’m just tickled to death and happy for Tracy Farmer and Mark. They make it all happen and give us a job."

Civetta, trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Flavien Prat, was making just her third start after finishing fourth, three-quarter-lengths behind Abientot, in the Untapable.

“I had a good trip,” Prat said. “She was very professional. She did everything right. It was a tough beat, but she ran her race.”

Live racing resumes Thursday at Aqueduct with an eight-race card. First post is set for 12:40 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

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