American Power outduels Pete's Play Call in richest race on New York Claiming Championships Day

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - American Power capped a terrific meet for himself and his trainer, Rob Atras, by outdueling Pete’s Play Call by one length in the $80,000 Caixa Eletronica, the richest of 10 starter stakes on Saturday’s New York Claiming Championships card at Aqueduct.

The victory was the third of the winter meet for American Power - and fourth straight overall dating back to last October at Belmont Park. Among his victories at the winter meet was the Grade 3 Toboggan Stakes, a win that gave Atras his first career graded stakes success.

For Atras, the victory was the 21st from 92 starters at the winter meet, good enough for third in the standings. The meet ends Sunday.

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche hustled American Power to the front and he dueled alongside of Pete’s Play Call through a half-mile in 46.53 seconds. The pair were still toe to toe until in the stretch before American Power edged away late.

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American Power, a 6-year-old son of Power Broker, covered the seven furlongs in 1:24.25 and returned $3.20 as the favorite.

“I know Pete’s Play Call is a tough horse and he doesn’t lay down,” Atras said. “I thought Kendrick rode him great. They were going really fast at the start and Kendrick made the decision to go to the front. He made the decision early and it was obviously the right one.”

Though billed as stakes, these races were not run under the rules of stakes in that horses were permitted to run on Lasix, the anti-bleeding medication that has been banned from usage in stakes in New York beginning this year.

In the remainder of the races:

* Air Attack, claimed off Atras for $25,000 by John Toscano Jr. on March 12, beat the Atras-trained Musical Heart by a length in the $75,000 Stud Muffin.

Air Attack ($10), under Eric Cancel, covered the 1 3/8 miles in 2:21.93.

* Letmetakethiscall ($2.80) dominated the $75,000 Xtra Heat, cruising to a 9 1/4-length victory over Dovey Lovey. Pablo Morales rode the winner for Jimmy Ferraro, who also trained the runner-up. Letmetakethiscall, who won for the third time from four starts at the meet, ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:18.52.

* Ryan’s Cat ($5.60) backed up his victory in a $25,000 claimer on March 7 by winning the $70,000 Peeping Tom by six lengths over Clench. Ryan’s Cat, a son of Kitten’s Joy claimed two back by Rudy Rodriguez, was ridden to victory by Luis Cardenas.

* Control Group ($16), who won the Grade 3 Discovery for Rodriguez in 2017, was able to run by the Rodriguez-trained Malibu Pro and win the $60,000 More to Tell by a half-length. Trevor McCarthy rode the winner for trainer Wayne Potts.

* Bears Mafia ($6.60), pulled up and vanned off when last seen in November, returned running, scoring a half-length victory over even-money favorite Square Shooter in the $55,000 Kelly Kip. Bears Mafia, owned and trained by Jeffrey Englehart, won for the ninth time in 24 starts and seventh in his last eight. He ran six furlongs in 1:11.45.

* In 2019, Daria’s Angel won the $60,000 Sis City and Mia Bella Rossa finished eighth. Saturday, Mia Bella Rossa ($5.40) rallied by 14-1 shot Daria’s Angel to win the $60,000 Sis City by 2 1/4 lengths. It was the fourth straight win for Mia Bella Rossa, who shipped up from Parx for Scott Lake. Carmouche rode the winner.

* Ruvies in Time ($7.60) rallied by pacesetting Malibu Mischief to take the $55,000 Videogenic by four lengths over Fair Regis. Manny Franco rode the winner for trainer Rick Schosberg. Malibu Mischief, the 3-5 favorite, finished third.

* Favored Dublinornothin ($6) rallied three wide on the turn under Reylu Gutierrez and outfinished Movie Score to win the $45,000 Belle Gallantey by 1 3/4 lengths for owner/trainer Eduardo Jones.

* Fox Red ($7.30), claimed two weeks ago for $16,000, paid quick dividends for owner/trainer Linda Rice as he won the $45,000 Dads Caps by 1 1/4 lengths over Town Jak. Eric Cancel rode the winner.