Acoustic Ave noses out Andiamo a Firenze in New York Breeders' Futurity
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Acoustic Ave fought with favored Andiamo a Firenze all the way in the $158,579 New York Breeders’ Futurity, and got his nose down on the wire to get the best of that familiar foe on Monday at Finger Lakes.
Acoustic Ave ($8.30) and Andiamo a Firenze, among the most impressive New York-bred maiden winners in the first half of the year, met for the first time in the Funny Cide Stakes on Aug. 26 at Saratoga. Andiamo a Firenze cruised to a 5 1/2-length win for trainer Kelly Breen, with Acoustic Ave, who is trained by Christophe Clement, third behind that colt and Donegal Surges.
The two then took separate paths. Andiamo a Firenze, who was already graded stakes-placed, stepped back up to open company to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes. Acoustic Ave, meanwhile, prepared for the New York Breeders' Futurity with a local prep, winning the Aspirant Stakes on Sept. 26 at Finger Lakes by an easy 9 1/4 lengths.
On Monday, the two colts reunited for a thrilling edition of the six-furlong Futurity, which was contested for the first time in 1963. Acoustic Ave, who broke from post 3 under regular rider Manny Franco, broke sharply and seized the rail path when Stonewall Star left slowly from the inside post.
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He led Andiamo a Firenze and Jose Lezcano by a half-length through an opening quarter in 21.90 seconds on the fast track, but Andiamo a Firenze battled on and got his head in front through the half in 45.01 seconds.
By that point, Stonewall Star had recovered and was coming up in the three path, and the three juveniles were in a line at the quarter pole. Andiamo a Firenze fought on grimly between horses, but in the final strides, Acoustic Ave, at the rail, got his nose down on the wire. The two foes stopped the clock in 1:11.78.
Acoustic Ave and Andiamo a Firenze separated themselves from Stonewall Star in the final stages, with that one a length back in third in her stakes debut. The top three were 12 1/2 lengths clear of the field, as Mshindi, Gold in Them Hills, Mo Trump, The Catillac Kid, and Tiz Lucky rounded out the order of finish.
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