Big-priced Chowda repels late charge to win Gander

Eddie F’s Racing’s Chowda set the pace, was overtaken in the stretch and recovered to outkick Bank On Shea in a final-furlong duel to capture Sunday’s $100,000 Gander for New York-bred sophomores by three-quarters of a length at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Chowda, who finished sixth in his only previous stakes appearance, broke sharp at 15-1 odds under jockey Eric Cancel, leading the six-horse field through the opening quarter-mile in 24.03 seconds and the half in 48.27 on the fast main track.

Cancel kept Chowda at the front, going three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.07, and held strong out of the turn before 5-2 mutuel selection Bank On Shea made a strong move from the rail to briefly take the lead.

Chowda, who finished sixth in the NYSSS Great White Way in a race won by Bank On Shea on December 14 at Aqueduct, got the better of his rival this time, immediately regaining the advantage from the outside and hitting the wire in a 1:40.36 final time for the one-turn mile.

“He’s a grinder. He’s a horse that needs to feel other horses [beside him] to keep on going,” said Cancel, who won his third race on the day and second of the stakes meet. “I’ve been getting along with him really well and the trainer and staff have done a great job with him. He’s a horse that never gives up.” 

Cancel also won for the ninth time in his previous 20 mounts.

“I’m riding the same way I’ve been riding, but I’m getting better opportunities,” Cancel said. “I’m grateful for the chance and thankful to everyone that has been helping me out. I always try hard and I give 100 percent every time.”

Trainer Gary Sciacca won his first stakes in nearly two years to the date [Hit It Once More in the Haynesfield on February 17, 2018 at Aqueduct] and said having a rival in deep stretch brings out the best in his charge.

“He’s a fighter and a battler,” Sciacca said. “It looked like he was going to get beat and he came back again. He just ran tough. He does better when he has someone to battle with. In his last two wins, he lost the lead and came back and won. Today, he fought it out and came back and won.”

The sophomore Emcee colt returned $32.60 on a $2 win wager. Bred by Fedwell Farm, Chowda won for the third time in six starts and improved his career bankroll to $140,043.

Bank On Shea, a Jason Servis trainee making his first start since that Great White Way victory, was 3 ½ lengths the best of even-money favorite Bourbon Bay for second.

“I think I got a good trip. My horse tried really hard. He ran really good, but I think the distance was a bit much,” said Bank on Shea jockey and Aqueduct leading rider Jose Lezcano. “I think he likes it a little shorter. Seven-eighths is perfect for him.”

Scilly Cay, Microscope and Colormepazzi completed the order of finish. Wild Banker was scratched.

Live racing resumes Monday with a special Presidents Day nine-race card, headlined by the $100,000 Hollie Hughes for state-bred 4-year-olds and up in Race 8 at 4:25 p.m. Eastern. First post is 1 p.m.