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Water’s Edge makes waves in $100K Haynesfield

by Mary Eddy

Empire Equines' Water’s Edge made a victorious stakes debut under Jorge Vargas, Jr. in Sunday’s $100,000 Haynesfield for older New York-breds traveling a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by David Donk, Water’s Edge returned to the mile distance after a nine-furlong optional claiming score last time out at the Big A on February 10. The son of Candy Ride has never finished worse than second in eight lifetime starts.

Water’s Edge broke alertly from post 2 and led the field of six through an opening quarter-mile in 23.35 seconds over the fast main track. The 4-year-old colt maintained command down the backstretch with Lobsta sitting a half-length behind in second and the Jose Lezcano-piloted Chestertown looming to the outside in third.

Water’s Edge came under a ride from Vargas, Jr. in the turn as Lobsta began to fade to his outside through a half-mile in 46.01. Chestertown, full of run in the three-path, overtook second and made his bid for the lead as the field straightened for home.

With right-hand encouragement from Vargas, Jr., Water’s Edge dug in and would not be denied, pulling away from Chestertown at the sixteenth pole and crossing the wire 4 1/4-lengths the best in a final time of 1:36.93.

Chestertown kept on to secure place honors by 1 1/2 lengths over the late-closing Our Last Buck with Lobsta, My Boy Tate, and Brew Pub completing the order of finish.

Vargas, Jr., aboard Water’s Edge for his last three starts, said he intended to make the lead.

“That was the plan,” said Vargas, Jr. “We drew the inside and I wanted to have him on his game. I was aggressive and he fought all the way.

“He was waiting on them,” Vargas, Jr. added. “He was getting ready for them and when they came up, he took off again. Last time, he ran hard and was pretty keen on me, but he still managed to fight and win at the end. I was pretty confident about the cut back today. I knew I was going to have horse to dig in.”

Lezcano said Chestertown showed tenacity with his runner-up effort.

"He broke where I wanted him to be sitting 1-2-3 and when I asked him, he gave me a run,” Lezcano said. “But I think the two horse is a pretty nice horse and he kept going. My horse could have quit and finished third, but he dug in and finished second.”

 Donk said maturity was key for Water’s Edge, who is a homebred for John and Sandy Crowe's Empire Equines.

“He’s a really nice horse that’s continued to improve,” said Donk. “A big credit to John and Sandy Crowe, they let us be patient with him. Credit to everyone in the barn, really. They’ve done a great job with this horse. It’s fun to run in stakes races and obviously it’s a lot of fun to run well.”

Donk said he was pleased to see Water’s Edge continue to improve going a one-turn mile. 

“A mile is still a route race. He showed us last time that he could get a mile and an eighth,” said Donk. “You don’t get those opportunities very often. We won’t see two turns again until we get to Saratoga since Belmont is really all one turn.

“Early on, we thought he probably wanted to stretch out down the road, so it’s been a gradual process,” Donk added. “He’s earned his way.”

Bred in New York by his owners, Water’s Edge paid $10.20 for a $2 win wager and collected $55,000 for his effort. He now boasts total purse earnings of $240,350 and a record of 8-4-4-0.

Live racing resumes Friday at the Big A with a nine-race card. First post is 1:20 p.m. Eastern. 

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

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.