Goldsville Surges in Excelsior
Surging to the lead at the quarter pole, Goldsville held off a late run by Nite Light and stiff resistance from front-runner Seniors Pride to win the 98th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Excelsior on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Owned by Marc Ferrell and ridden by New York’s leading jockey Ramon Dominguez, the 5-year-old son of Successful Appeal completed the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up in 1:51.43. He paid $5.10 to win as the 1.55-to-1 second choice.
Favored Nite Light finished second, three quarters of a length back, followed by Seniors Pride, another neck back.
Goldsville had been racing in California for trainer Peter Eurton when Ferrell sent him with several other horses to Mike Hushion.
He is now 2-for-2 for Hushion.
In the Excelsior, Goldsville set up in a stalking position behind Seniors Pride in the field of five and pressed the pace through a half mile in 49.20 seconds and a mile in 1:38.07. He then made a strong move turning for home as Nite Light, saving ground inside, launched his attack on the rail.
“Getting a mile and an eighth for the first time was a relief,” Hushion said after the race. “He held them safe. I can’t say I wasn’t nervous. There’s a reason my teeth are half the size – from grinding them down.”
Dominguez was impressed by Goldsville’s versatility and tenacity.
“We were able to get in good position with very comfortable fractions,” Dominguez said. “He was very tough today, especially in the stretch. He really tried hard. This horse continues to improve.”
Goldsville won for the fourth time in 20 lifetime starts and increased his earnings to $275,440.