Alluring Angel earns first graded win in G3 Long Island

Lawrence Goichman’s Alluring Angel took command early and held on late to secure her first graded win in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Long Island, an 11-furlong inner turf test for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 5-year-old Fastnet Rock bay entered from a rallying one-length third to subsequent Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf contender Village Voice in the Grade 3 Waya over course and distance on October 5. On Saturday, she took the lead before the half-mile under Kendrick Carmouche on her way to victory. 

“It was actually Mr. Goichman that suggested going long,” said Mott, who won his third Long Island following past scores with Yokama [1998] and Starformer [2012]. 

Alluring Angel emerged well from post 6 to track Waya runner-up Beach Bomb through an opening quarter-mile in 24.43 seconds over the firm turf. Hall of Famer Javier Castellano attempted to slow things down aboard Beach Bomb and Alluring Angel, sporting blinkers for the second consecutive race, took command passing the wire for the first time to mark the half-mile in 51.12. 

“We looked at the race and there was not much speed, and he [Carmouche] said Javier would probably try and make the pace,” Mott said. “He had it slowed down so much, he [Carmouche] said he hollered at him, ‘how slow do you want to go!’ He just inherited the lead."

Alluring Angel rattled off fractions of 1:17.29 and 1:41.84 down the backside and into the third turn while taking pressure from Fun With Flags as Beach Bomb saved ground from third position. When straightened for home, Alluring Angel ran on and built a three-length lead by the stretch call. 

“I just wanted to take the lead – why not, they were walking,” said Carmouche. “Once I got to the half-a-mile and reached and grabbed her again, she went even more, though she leaned out a little.”

A pair of Graham Motion-trained rivals made late runs, Beach Bomb to the inside of the Jorge Ruiz-piloted No Show Sammy Jo coming from farther back, but despite drifting out in the lane, Alluring Angel was home free for a 1 1/4-length victory over No Show Sammy Jo in a final time of 2:17.07. 

Beach Bomb was a half-length back in third, with Grayosh rounding out the superfecta. Way to Be Marie, Fun With Flags, Alimara, Amber Cascade, Lady Firefoot and Brocknardini completed the order of finish. The Mott-trained Immensitude was scratched along with main track-only entrants Bernietakescharge and Purloin. 

Motion said No Show Sammy Jo, who was defeated a nose in this event last year by Be Your Best, was game in her rally from last-of-9 early. 

“That’s how she ran here last year, so we let her do the same thing and she almost got there again,” said Motion, who added that Beach Bomb was a bit unlucky. “Javier is kind of kicking himself – he thought that horse [Alluring Angel] was being a bit rank, and he probably should have gone on, but he was worried about getting hooked up. They both ran super.”

Bred in Great Britain by Michael E. Wates CBE, Alluring Angel, a $67,450 purchase at the 2020 Tattersalls December Foal sale, is a full-sister to multiple Group 1-placed I Can Fly out of the Teofilo mare All of Me. Her second dam, Madonna Dell'orto, is a half-sister to dual Grade/Group 1-winner Landseer. She banked $137,500 in victory while improving her record to 13-4-1-2 and returning $17.82 for a $2 win bet.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack with a nine-race card, featuring the $150,000 Awad in Race 3. First post is 12:10 p.m. Eastern. 

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

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