Aye a Song hangs on to win West Virginia Futurity

It may have been closer than her supporters expected, but Aye a Song improved her record to four wins from five starts in the $74,300 West Virginia Futurity at Charles Town on Saturday night. The 1-10 favorite Aye a Song held on to win the seven-furlong race by a half-length.

Aye a Song broke on top in the West Virginia Futurity and was rated on an open lead by Christian Hiraldo. She opened up what looked like a commanding lead of maybe four lengths on the final turn, then held on for the victory over the late-running Charitableprincess.

Aye a Song, a 2-year-old West Virginia-bred daughter of Fiber Sonde, was bred by owner-trainer John McKee. The Futurity was her second stakes victory. She also won the Triple Crown Nutrition Breeders’ Classic on Oct. 10. She now has earned $134,265.

Aye a Song’s only loss came in her prior start when the colt Bullets Fever beat her by a neck after a three-furlong head-to-head battle in the Tri-State Futurity. Bullets Fever is 3 for 3.

Aye a Song paid $2.20. She set fractions of 24.16 seconds, 48.94, and 1:14.49 en route to a final clocking of 1:28.10.

Charitableprincess broke alertly in the Futurity but was snugged back off the pace by Antonio Lopez. She rallied after the winner in the final quarter-mile but came up just short. She finished nine lengths clear of Romantic Cork in third.

Charitableprincess won a Charles Town maiden race in her prior start and is improving with each start.

Romantic Cork tracked Aye a Song three wide, then weakened. Holey Molar also was forwardly placed early but tired to finish fifth.