Bombs away in the Busher as Water White upsets at Aqueduct

Water White took an unexpected step toward the Kentucky Oaks' starting gate Saturday, scoring by a nose at 17-1 in Aqueduct’s $250,000 Busher Invitational.

With the win, the Rudy Rodriguez-trained Conveyance filly collected 50 points on the Road to the 2020 Kentucky Oaks, putting her third in those standings with 54.

Water White earned those points, and a first career stakes score, by getting the better of 13-1 shot Kansas Kis in a photo finish. The top two came home ahead of 23-1 longshot Panthera Onca in third, building a trifecta that returned $568.75 on a 50-cent bet.

Those three unheralded fillies took advantage of a race where 4-5 favorite Lake Avenue faded in the stretch and 3-1 second choices Maedean and Mo City both failed to threaten.

Lake Avenue, a Grade 2 winner from the Bill Mott barn, went to the front alongside Persisto and led the field of seven going a mile through the opening panel in :23.30.

The favorite Lake Avenue pulled clear to go the half-mile in :46.81 but was met halfway through the far turn by Kansas Kis. That Raymond Handal-trained filly took control entering the stretch under jockey Eric Cancel and was three lengths in front entering the final furlong.

Jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. urged Water White down the center of the track toward the leader. The late-running filly had just enough room to nip Kansas Kis at the wire and secure the biggest win of her career.

Owner E.V. Racing Stable bought the Kentucky-bred Water White as a yearling for $50,000 in 2018. The Busher marked only her second win in six career starts, all of which have come in New York.

"We were happy with the way she was coming into the race," Rodriguez said. "It's a very tough group, but she was training very good.

"We decided to take a chance and she's been beaten by some nice, solid horses. We just took our time and let her continue to develop and today was our day."

Rodriguez said Water White will continue along Aqueduct's Oaks trail, which concludes with the $300,000 Gazelle Stakes (G3) on April 4.