Affectionately sets up for Yet Again

Yet Again, the longest shot in a scratched-reduced field of four, rallied from well off the pace under Orlando Bocachica to win Sunday's $66,120 Affectionately Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths at Aqueduct.

Are We Dreamin finished second, 11 1/2 lengths ahead of Spritely, the 3-5 favorite who set the early pace. Rap Tale was last.

Originally drawn with six, the Affectionately lost Successful Sarah and Point Me To It to scratches. Point Me To It scratched after showing signs of developing colic, according to the stewards.

The early scratch of Successful Sarah appeared to leave Spritely as the main speed. Under Ramon Dominguez, Spritely bobbled at the break and had to work hard to clear Rap Tale for the early lead. Spritely ran an opening quarter in 23.25 seconds and went the half-mile in 47.15 seconds while feeling pressure from Rap Tale.

Spritely put away Rap Tale, but then Are We Dreamin made her move. Meanwhile, Bocachica didn't ask Yet Again to run until midway around the turn. After saving ground to that point, Bocachica swung Yet Again three wide at the quarter pole and she ran by both Spritely and Are We Dreamin outside the eighth pole.

Yet Again, a 4-year-old New York-bred daughter of Catienus owned by Cart Shapoff's Seahorse Stable and trained by Karl Grusmark, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.28 and returned $19.40 to win.

"She's very consistent," Grusmark said. "The race set up perfectly for us. There was a good honest pace and Bocachica gave her a great ride. I'm very grateful to the owner for the opportunity to train such a nice filly."