Adios Asher outduels Daufuskie Island in Aspirant Stakes
Adios Asher, making his first start on dirt, edged out a nose victory over favored Daufuskie Island in the $116,242 Aspirant Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds on Monday at Finger Lakes.
The Aspirant and its sister race, the $117,036 Lady Finger Stakes, are the local preps for one of the season’s biggest events at the track, the $100,000-added New York Breeders’ Futurity at the same six-furlong distance of both preps on Oct. 18.
Adios Asher ($11) was third in his debut on turf and then was a front-running 5 1/4-length winner in a synthetic sprint at Arlington. He shipped in to run in the state of his birth for the first time for trainer Larry Rivelli, with E.T. Baird in to ride.
Adios Asher had Daufuskie Island, a Saratoga maiden winner this summer, on his flank throughout as he set a pressured pace of 22.22 seconds for the quarter and 45.65 for the half. He brought a half-length lead into the stretch and grimly held on as Daufuskie Island chipped away at it. He kept his nose in front at the wire, stopping the clock in 1:11.12 for the six furlongs.
It was 9 3/4 lengths back to Gimmedamoney in third.
Adios Asher, by Adios Charlie, is owned by Richard Ravin and Patricia's Hope LLC. He was bred by Ravin.
One race later, Curly Girl ($50) sprang an upset in the Lady Finger. The filly rallied from fifth at the quarter pole to win by 1 1/2 lengths going away, with Andre Worrie in the irons for trainer Paul Barrow. Belarus was second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of Queens Dancer in third.
Curly Girl won for the second time in three career starts, after taking a maiden race on Sept. 13 at Finger Lakes. Curly Girl, by Nyquist, is owned by Henry Steadman and was bred by Denlea Park LTD.