Stoney Bennett headlines NYSS Great White Way

by Najja Thompson

Set to make only his fourth career start, Stoney Bennett will headline a field of seven in the $150,000 New York Stallion Series Great White Way for 2-year-olds at six furlongs on Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

A son of Bustin Stones in the care of Maryland based trainer Ollie Figgins, III for owners Roddy Valente, Darlene Bilinski and Richard Alfred, the New York-bred won impressively in his debut on September 15 at Belmont Park, besting a field of eight by 3 ¾ lengths.

Making his next start facing stakes competition in the Sleepy Hollow on October 21 at Belmont, he dueled inside most of the way to finish fourth. Cutting back to six furlongs in his most recent start in the Notebook on November 26, he left the gate awkwardly and rushed up to finish second.

"He shipped up last week and had a good breeze over the track, so we're looking forward to see how he'll run Saturday," said Figgins. "He came out of his last start in good shape. Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] said he was a little green and reluctant to pass horses, so we're going to add blinkers. Last time, he also broke terribly so if he gets a clean break, I would expect him to be forwardly placed."

With Ortiz, Jr. in the irons, the pair will leave from post 2.

Philip Birsch's Belleville Spring will make his first start for trainer George Weaver. Sired by multiple graded stakes winner Trinniberg, he finished second in his debut against open company on November 17 at Churchill Downs before being transferred from trainer Wayne Mackey.

Manny Franco will be in the irons as the pair leave from post 4.

Dezzer will be shipping up from Florida for trainer Jorge Navarro and owner Joseph Besecker. The Desert Party colt won his lone career start on October 13 at Belmont winning by 3 ¼ lengths earning a 69 Beyer Speed Figure.

With Paco Lopez aboard the pair will depart from the rail.

Rounding out the field is Five Star Bunt for trainer Linda Rice and owner John McCarthy who was claimed for his new connections on November 6; Aqua Bel Sar, for owner Ryan Racing and trainer Parboo Bisnath; Inalenable Rights, for trainer Mark Hennig and owner Alan Brodsky; and Spectacular Kid, for trainer Alejandro Maymo and owner Alex Kazdan.