Allure of Money turns back odds-on Maker's Candy in New York Derby
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Locally based Allure of Money delivered the goods to his supporters, springing a $16.20 upset over odds-on favorite Maker's Candy in the $150,000 New York Derby on Monday, one of the richest races of the Finger Lakes season.
Allure of Money was making his third start of the year and was coming off a local allowance win. Trained by Michael S. Ferraro for Happy Face Racing Stable, he is a son of leading young New York sire Central Banker. Allure of Money won the Tin Cup Chalice Stakes last fall at Finger Lakes by nine lengths.
Allure of Money, with Luis Perez in the irons, was defending his home track against Maker's Candy, who was coming off a win in the Mike Lee Stakes on May 29 at Belmont Park for trainer Mike Maker.
Maker’s Candy, sent off at less than 1-5 odds, stumbled at the start and was bumped in the 1 1/16-mile race. He rushed up while wide under jockey Jose Ortiz to reach a contending position on the clubhouse turn.
Tacony Road, the longest shot in the field of seven New York-bred 3-year-olds at 41-1, was away in good order from the rail and held the early lead through a tepid opening quarter of 24.09 seconds while being tracked by Allure of Money. Sensing the pace was slow, Perez inched up with Allure of Money and poked a head in front through a half-mile in 48.93 seconds, with Maker's Candy just a length back in third.
Ortiz made his bid on Maker's Candy outside horses on the far turn, drawing to the flank of Allure of Money as Tacony Road began to retreat. Allure of Money and Maker's Candy engaged in a grim stretch drive until the final sixteenth when Allure of Money inched clear for a neck victory.
After Maker's Candy, it was 13 lengths back to Mo Trump in third. He was followed, in order, by Freudmein, Wynn Giant, Tacony Road, and Tiz Lucky.
The final time over a fast track was 1:46.82.
The final leg of the Big Apple Triple, which follows the Mike Lee and New York Derby, is the $250,000 Albany Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 27 at Saratoga.
Allure of Money added his name to a list of accomplished winners by taking the 50th edition of the New York Derby. Previous race winners include Fio Rito (1978), who went on to become a Grade 1 winner for Ferraro, and Tin Cup Chalice (2008), who swept the Big Apple Triple.
In recent years, the race has been won by Bankit (2019), now a multiple stakes-winning millionaire, and Americanrevolution (2021), who became a Grade 1 winner later that same season.
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