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Fully Vested headlines Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship

by Najja Thompson

In search of his first stakes win, Godolphin's Fully Vested will headline a field of seven in the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs on the outer turf.

One of three stakes races on Saturday's card, alongside the Grade 3, $400,000 Long Island and Grade 3, $200,000 Discovery the Aqueduct Turf Sprint is carded as Race 7.

A 5-year-old homebred gelding of Discreet Cat in the care of conditioner Tom Albertrani, Fully Vested made his first nine starts on the dirt before trying turf last January at Monmouth Park where he finished second in an optional-claiming race. 

Following up with a second-place finish over an off track in a race that was taken off the turf, Fully Vested returned to the green to win a second-level allowance 5 ½ furlong sprint on August 31 at Saratoga Race Course, matching his career high 100 Beyer Speed Figure on October 5 in the Belmont Turf Sprint, where he finished third in his most recent start.

"He's a horse that's really made a big improvement on the grass since we've changed surfaces with him," said Albertrani. "He ran a huge race in the Turf Sprint last time at Belmont. He may not be in the category to be like a Breeders' Cup-type horse, but this race as a great spot to bring him back in."

With Jose Lezcano returning aboard who rode Fully Vested to his last win at the Spa, the pair will depart from post 5.

Shipping in from Parx Racing for trainer Kathleen Demasi is Dubini for Pewter Stable.

The 6-year-old gelded son of Gio Ponti has made five starts this year with one victory in the Laurel Dash in September and a pair of second-place finishes and one third.

With Kendrick Carmouche in the irons, Dubini will leave from post 6.

Cutting back in distance following a seventh-place finish in the one-mile Artie Schiller in November at the Big A is Zayat Stables Gidu for conditioner Todd Pletcher.

The 4-year-old son of Frankel has one win from five starts this year. Drawing the rail, Gidu will make his first start at six furlongs since running fourth in the Belmont Turf Sprint Championship on October 5 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard.

Rounding out the field is Vici for Big Hands Stables and trainer David Conk entering off a third-place optional claiming win on October 25 (post 7, Jose Ortiz); Nice Tune for trainer Herold Whylie (post 2, Joey Martinez) and Lonhtwist (post 4, Mike Luzzi).