Possesed, Dreamboat Annie Capture NYSS Stakes

While overnight rainstorms moved today's New York Stallion Series stakes to the Belmont Park main track, it didn't seem to bother either of the post-time favorites as Possessed captured the $100,000 Spectacular Bid division for 3-year-olds and Dreamboat Annie won the $100,000 Cupecoy's Joy division for 3-year-old fillies.

Breaking alertly from the gate as the 8-5 post-time favorite, the Charlton Baker trained-Possessed, with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, was content to track pace setter Secured Position through fractions of 22.82 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.49 for the half. At the eighth pole, Ortiz confidently made a three-wide winning move, engaging Secured Position in the upper stretch and drawing away to secure the victory by 6 ¾ lengths.

"We broke well and [Ex Ex Ex] went to the front and then [Secured Position] went out there," said Ortiz. "I was in the perfect position and moving well on the outside. When I asked my horse to go, he responded very well. I think [trainer] Charlie Baker did a tremendous job with this horse. He was 100 percent today and we got it done."

Completing the seven furlongs in 1:25.17, the son of Posse returned $3.40 for a $2 win wager over a main track listed as muddy. The victory increased his career bankroll to $195,675 for owners Daniel P Hayden and Baker.

Secured Positon, Fenwick Hall and Ex Ex Ex completed the order of finish. Scratched from the race were Payment Terms, Memories of Peter, and Mark My Style.

Three races later in the Cupecoy's Joy, Dreamboat Annie made a bold move in the late stretch under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez and picked up her first career stakes win and third victory in four lifetime starts. 

Dreamboat Annie broke sharpl before being taken back as The Lewis Dinner and Perfect Freud led the field through fractions of 23.19 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.67 for the half.

At the quarter-pole, Dreamboat Annie moved four-wide to take on a very game Perfect Freud, who initially met the challenge before Dreamboat Annie rallied once again in the late stretch to inch past and earn the win by three-quarters of a length.  

"I had a good trip," said Velazquez.  "She was a little bit rank for the first part of the race, but the other horses moved outside and that made it easier for me. From the quarter-pole home, it opened up for me and it was perfect."

Finishing the seven furlongs in 1:25.64, Dreamboat Annie returned $6.50 for a $2 win wager. The daughter of Freud, trained by Leah Gyarmati, increased her career bankroll to $131,200 for owners Crown Stable, Who Wudda Thunk Racing, and Debora Kinns.

"It was a great ride;" said Gyarmati. "[John Velazquez] did a wonderful job of getting her back there. Luckily, he was able to get her back and outside, and it was perfect."

Following Perfect Freud were The Lewis Dinner, Loon River and Freudie Anne. Scratched from the race were Amazing Anne, Cosmic Serenity, Kacy Lauren, Laura's Patriot, and Twin Lights.

Now with victories on both dirt and turf, Gyarmati was excited for the winning filly's next options heading into this summer's Saratoga Race Course meet.

"We'll have a lot of fun with her at Saratoga," said Gyarmati.  "Turf, dirt, 3-year-old filly, New York-bred, maybe can go open also. You have so many choices it will make for a fun summer."

Source: NYRA Communications