Aqueduct: Long River takes Evening Attire under well-timed ride

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Irad Ortiz Jr. was a little concerned he might not get Long River out and into the clear until it was too late. Assistant trainer Art Magnuson was hoping Long River wouldn’t make the lead too soon.

In the end, Ortiz got Long River running in plenty of time and the royally-bred colt kept never stopped running, passing pacesetting Percussion inside the sixteenth pole to register a three-quarter-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Evening Attire Stakes at Aqueduct. Percussion finished second by 13 1/2 lengths over Jonesy Boy, who got third by a head over Cease, the 7-5 favorite.

Don Dulce, Cougar Ridge, and In the Beat completed the order of finish. Saratoga Snacks scratched to run in Sunday’s Whodam Stakes.

The win was the third straight and second in a stakes for Long River, a son of Grade 1 winners A.P. Indy and Round Pond owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Stable and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. He is now 4 for 9 for his career.

Breaking from the rail, Long River raced inside of Cease as both chased Percussion through a half-mile in 48.17 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.27.

Approaching the five-sixteenths pole, Ortiz got Long River off the rail and to the outside. Meanwhile, Percussion, under Chris DeCarlo, spurted clear to a one-length lead with a furlong to run. But Ortiz kept busy with a vigorous hand ride and Long River gradually wore the pacesetter down to get the victory.

Long River covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.71 over a good and harrowed inner track. He returned $5.30 as the second choice.

“We were going slow and I’m just behind him waiting and waiting,” said Ortiz, who added he thought “maybe if I get clear late I’m never going to catch him. Before the quarter pole I got out and got clear and my horse picked it up pretty good.”

Magnuson, the assistant trainer to McLaughlin, said he had a little concern that Long River might strike the front too soon.

“He has a tendency to kind of look around and loaf a little bit,” Magnuson said. “Irad had a perfect trip, great ride; [Long River] is getting more professional I think.”

Long River could stay in New York or shortly head to south Florida. If he stays in New York, next race options include the $100,000 Stymie on Feb. 15 and/or the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior on March 22. Both races are at 1 1/8 miles.