Aqueduct: Tiz the Argument, San Pablo post near-identical times in stakes wins

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Late-blooming 3-year-olds Tiz the Argument and San Pablo posted impressive victories in $60,000 overnight stakes at Aqueduct on Sunday, and recorded virtually identical final times.

In the Let Me Linger for fillies, Tiz the Argument ($5.10) stalked 9-5 second choice Love and Pride from the outset, and surged past approaching midstretch to draw away by 7 3/4 lengths. She was the third winner of the day for apprentice Ryan Curatolo.

Coming off a pair of blowout allowance wins in her first two starts for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., Tiz the Argument ran the mile and 70 yards in 1:41.35 on a fast inner track. She won for the fourth time in six starts overall.

Withgreatpleasure rallied late to wear down Love and Pride for second.

The Flying Chevron scratched down to a field of just four, and although San Pablo ($3.30) was out-sprinted early, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt seized control with an emphatic move between horses through the middle fractions and edged away through the final quarter-mile to win by three lengths after a mile and 70 yards in 1:41.37.

San Pablo ($3.30), who also won for the fourth time in six starts, was the third winner on the program for Cornelio Velasquez. He linked with Tiz the Argument for a chalky overnight stakes double worth $9.20.

Norman Asbjornson rallied wide turning for home and was clearly second best. Isn’t He Perfect out-finished 2-1 second choice Socialsaul for third.

After Sunday, there is no live racing at Aqueduct for nine straight days. The track will be open for simulcasting during the winter break, with the exceptions of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday, Dec. 28.