Awesome Gent Draws Away in Jimmy Winkfield
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Photo:
Joe Labozzetta/NYRA
Making his first start against stakes competition, Todd Pletcher-trained Awesome Gent for Burning Sands Stable, LLC relished the challenge to earn his third consecutive victory drawing away to cruise in the $125,000 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes on Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Breaking from post 3 with Manny Franco aboard, Awesome Gent sat comfortably in in third position as 2-1 post-time favorite Sudden Surprise and Moon Over a Beauty dueled through opening fractions of 22.17 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.64 for the half.
As the field reached the quarter pole, Awesome Gent was guided four-wide into the stretch as the leaders began to weaken at the top of the stretch. Quijote and King Kranz came from the back of the pack to put in closing runs toward new leader but Awesome Gent extended away in the stretch to comfortably draw away from the field securing a four-length victory.
The son of Awesome Again completed the six-furlong distance in 1:10.60.
"When I saw the two horses [Moon Over a Beauty and Sudden Surprise] fighting on the lead, I decided to sit [behind] and wait until the quarter-pole to make my move," said Franco. "He responded really good. He's a nice horse and he has speed too. I think [he could go longer], Todd has done such a good job with him."
Returning $9.40 for a $2 win wager, Awesome Gent boosted his career earnings to $142,492 and increased his career record to a perfect 3-for-3 over the Big A inner track.
"I thought Manny did a great job," said Byron Hughes, assistant to Pletcher. "He broke sharp, sat outside the pace and took over the top of stretch and drew off. It was very impressive. He's been here all winter long and it's been great to have him in the barn. Hopefully his success over the inner continues to the outer track."
Following Quijote in second were King Kranz, Condo King, Moon Over a Beauty, and Sudden Surprise competing the order of finish.
Source: NYRA Communications (Najja Thompson)
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