Always Shopping breaks her maiden in Aqueduct's Busanda

Repole Stable’s homebred Always Shopping broke her maiden in the $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct and bested the two fillies who won her previous two starts. It was the fourth career start for the Awesome Again filly trained by Todd Pletcher. After running second twice, she used a ground-saving trip in the Busanda to pick up 10 points toward the 2019 Kentucky Oaks on May 3. 

The Busanda was her longest races yet at 1 1/8 miles.

"We were cautiously optimistic about this spot," said Pletcher's assistant Byron Hughes. "We were always looking to stretch her out and get her to race at two turns. She hadn't broke her maiden yet, but she had run well in her last start.

"Manny did a great job saving ground and tilted her out down the stretch. She's the grinding type and kind of grinded out the win. At this point, we'll see how she comes out of this race and go from there."

Always Shopping was up against Filly Joel, the Demoiselle (G2) third place finisher who beat her by 6 1/4 lengths at Belmont Oct. 25, and Miss Marilyn, who finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Always Shopping Dec. 14 at Aqueduct. There were eight lengths between Always Shopping and the third place horse.

Despite not having a win, Always Shopping was slightly favored over Filly Joel at 2-1. Manny Franco was aboard in the Busanda and settled the filly in fifth after breaking from the rail. Filly Joel took the lead and set opening fractions of 23.91 and 48.52 ahead of Miss Marilyn, Getting Warmer and Floss Dancer. Afleet Destiny, the Demoiselle runner-up, raced in the back half of the field.

Filly Joel maintained the lead turning for home, but Franco moved Always Shopping off the rail and found plenty of running room. Filly Joel fought back, but it wasn’t enough to fend off Always Shopping, who was clear by 1 1/4 lengths.

The final time was 1:52.24.

"The trip worked out great," Franco said. "I just wanted to make sure she came out of there well and get my position before the turn, and that's what she did. After that, she did it nice.

"At the half-mile pole, I thought I'd be all right because I'd follow the 9 (Filly Joel). I just followed her all the way and I was waiting for the hole. When I got there, she just exploded."

Filly Joel held for second to pick up 4 Oaks points. Afleet Destiny rallied for third to earn two, and Miss Marilyn held for fourth and picked up one point.