Acey Deucey lights up tote board

Trainer John Morrison was confident that Acey Deucey would run her best race in Monday's at Aqueduct. He just wasn't sure if her best would be good enough to beat the multiple stakes winner Megascape.

It was.

Aided by a hot pace battle between Megascape and Slew Motion, Acey Deucey stormed down the stretch under Diane Nelson to win the $81,200 Dearly Precious by 1 1/4 lengths over Phyllis Sassy Girl. It was another length back to Megascape, the 9-10 favorite, in third. Tax Considerations, Slew Motion, and Dancin on Broadway completed the order of finish.

The longest shot on the board at 24-1, Acey Deucey returned $51.50 to win, and sparked a pick six carryover of $34,817 heading into Thursday's card.

Megascape was sent off the favorite based on wins in the Valley Stream and Ruthless stakes in her previous two starts. Unlike in those races, however, she was unable to make the lead in the Dearly Precious. After dueling with Slew Motion through a half-mile in 45.52 seconds, Megascape opened up a clear lead turning for home, but couldn't hold off the late runners.

Acey Deucey, last early, advanced steadily while on the outside down the backside, kicked in turning for home, and took the lead 70 yards out. Acey Deucey, a New York-bred daughter of Abaginone, covered the six furlongs in 1:10.68 over a fast inner track.

"I thought on paper if the race held to form it would set up perfectly for her, and it did," Morrison said. "We've been working with her since we got her to take her back and make that one run. Everything came in line today."

Acey Deucey now has two wins from three starts since Morrison and owner Jeffrey Tucker purchased her privately from Bob Klesaris last fall.