Stakes Recap
Nov 25, 2016
My Impression makes a good one in Winter Memories Loki's Vengeance much the best in NYSS Thunder Rumble; Filibustin remains undefeated in Key Cents
by NYRA Press Office
Stuart S. Janney III's homebred My Impression got up in the final jumps of the $125,000 Winter Memories to prevail in a thrilling finish in the inaugural running of the 1 1/16-mile turf contest for 3-year-old fillies on Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz, My Impression saved ground along the rail in midpack as Koala Queen opened up on the field, covering the opening quarter-mile in 24.03 seconds and the half in 48.96. As the field turned for home, Ortiz tipped out My Impression as Gianna's Dream and Gioia Stella overtook the pacesetter near the quarter-pole. Sassy Little Lila charged through an opening along the rail and the quartet duked it out through the final sixteenth, as My Impression dug in under the wire for a half-length victory over Sassy Little Lila. The daughter of Sky Mesa completed the 1 1/16-mile route in 1:44.22 over good turf.
"She's a filly that would rather cover up," said Ortiz. "When she gets out, she explodes. Today, I was able to cover up. They went fast in front of us, but when I asked her to go, she responded well. I was following the whole way; the leader went inside, so I had to go out. I had a perfect trip and saved ground and she went without too much difficulty. She gave me a great run."
From the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, My Impression, sent off as the 5-2 favorite, returned $7.50 for a $2 win wager.
A 3 ¼-length winner of the Grade 3 Commonwealth in September, My Impression improves her record to five wins and a third from nine starts, and career earnings of $262,315.
Gianna's Dream was third, followed by Noble Beauty, Gioia Stella, Insta Erma, Danilovna, Grey Stark, Koala Queen and Free N Clear to complete the order of finish. She's So Fine was scratched, as were main-track-only entrants Mo d'Amour and Welcoming.
Earlier on the card, Blue Bison Stable's Loki's Vengeance kicked off the Black Friday stakes action with a triumphant return to stakes company, going gate-to-wire to win the $125,000 New York Stallion Series Thunder Rumble for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up.
Loki's Vengeance, trained by Michael Hushion, paced the field of eight through an opening quarter-mile in 22.32 seconds and a half in 46.69. The 5-year-old dark bay colt gained separation on Becker's Galaxy out of the turn, winning by 7 ¼ lengths and completing seven furlongs in 1:23.20 on a fast main track for his first win of the year.
"He broke great and put me on the lead," jockey Jose Ortiz said. "Mike Hushion told me that he breaks really good, and don't be afraid to go to the lead. He did, and when I asked him to go at the three-sixteenth pole, he exploded. He gave me a great turn-of-foot."
A fresh Loki's Vengeance, who started for the first time since July 14 at Belmont Park, went off at 3-1 and returned $8.90. His first win since the 2015 NYSS Thunder Rumble improved his career earnings to $492,201.
"His time off was never due to any physical issue, it was just time for a break," Hushion. "Sometimes he breaks so hard, he stumbles only because he's so powerful coming out of there like a quarter horse. When I looked at the quarter-pole and I saw everyone moving already and nobody really closing, that was a real help. When he kicked away from Irad [Ortiz, Jr. aboard No. 7 Becker's Galaxy] I felt pretty good."
Becker's Galaxy, West Hill Giant, Empire Dreams, Jet Black, We Did, Bust Another and Cloud Control completed the order of finish.
The rescheduled $100,000 Key Cents for New York-bred juvenile fillies, which, along with NYSS Thunder Rumble was redrawn following Sunday's cancellation, completed the day's stakes action on the special 10-race Black Friday card.
Leaving from post 10 with Jose Lezcano aboard, Filibustin broke on top to lead the field of 12. Setting fractions of 23.18 seconds for the opening quarter-mile with the half-mile going in 47.39, Ribbonite briefly overtook the leader before Filibustin regained the lead at the quarter-pole.
Moving to the two path in the upper stretch, Lezcano once again engaged his mount as Filibustin drew away in the final yards to secure the victory by three lengths to complete six furlongs in a winning time of 1:12.50.
Returning $8.50 for the win, the daughter of Bustin Stones kept her perfect record intact from three races boosting her career earnings to $161,970 for owner and breeder Alan Cook. It was her second stakes win following a victory in the Joseph A. Gimma on October 2 at Belmont Park.
"When we drew the outside post today, I just left it up to Jose," said winning trainer Gregory Sacco. "We were on in the inside going seven-eighths last time and we just wanted to get her out in the clear. This time, we had speed on the inside. ... I thought she was in a good position the whole race and then sending her for home, it's just whether you're good enough. Every time you run, you have to answer the bell."
Following a late-charging Overnegotiate who closed for second were Ribbonite, Tainted Angel, Bliss to You, Wilburnmoney, Code Red, Iron Mizz, Strawberry Tequila, Twist 'n Shout, Impazible Angela completing the order of finish.
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