Jockey John Velazquez has given Antiquarian his share of favorable trips in his 11-race career, but the 5-year-old horse could not have asked for much better in the Grade 3 Westchester Stakes on Sunday at Aqueduct. Stalking an early speed duel in the four-horse field, Velazquez guided the Todd Pletcher trainee into contention around the far turn and easily picked off Bishops Bay and Quint’s Brew, drawing away to win by 5 3/4 lengths. A distant longshot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year, he paid $6.34 to win as the second choice in his return. “Perfect trip,” Velazquez said. “That's what I was expecting. The speed showed up in front of me. I put him behind horses and let him do his thing from the three-eighths pole home.” Bishops Bay, the 3-5 favorite who was making his first start since finishing fourth in the $20 million Saudi Cup, had previously been unbeaten in four starts at a mile and three starts at Aqueduct for trainer Brad Cox. He broke in typically sharp fashion and dueled for the early lead with Quint’s Brew, just as he did when he won the Westchester last year. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. But while the front-runners managed to spar all the way to the wire in the 2025 race, their duel proved more costly this time. After easing through an opening quarter-mile in 24.19 seconds, they quickened to complete the half-mile in 47. Giving his all again for trainer Ned Allard, Quint’s Brew pressured Bishops Bay and took a slight advantage on the far turn, but neither had anything to offer when Antiquarian drew alongside and kicked into gear for his third graded stakes victory. It was a promising 5-year-old debut. “He came back real sharp this time, that's for sure,” Velazquez said. “Hopefully, he can mature for me a lot." Velazquez had to switch to a right-handed crop when the winner drifted in at the top of the stretch, but he cruised home after straightening out, completing the mile distance in 1:35.42 (100 Beyer Speed Figure). “They did right by him after the [Breeders’ Cup Classic] and just kicked him out for a while to be a horse,” Stu Hampson, Pletcher’s assistant, said. “Their patience with him seems to have really paid off now. The horse came back and he's been doing everything just as well as you could want a horse to do.” Long after Antiquarian pulled clear, Bishops Bay battled back along the rail to put away Quint’s Brew and held second by nose over Pentathlon, who made up late ground from last for Shug McGaughey. Rated by Merit, a 4-year-old colt who suffered his first defeat in the Grade 2 Carter last month, was scratched. In past years, the Westchester has proven to be a useful prep for several bigger stakes, namely the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap in June. Centennial Farms co-owner Donald Little Jr. said the race was under consideration. Meanwhile, Hampson said he felt Antiquarian seemed prepared for “the handicap races over the summer,” which could herald his return to Saratoga for the first time since winning the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup last year. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.