Backsideofthemoon dominates Queens County

The 8-year-old Backsideofthemoon won the second stakes race of his career Saturday, when he wired the field in the $100,000 Queens County at Aqueduct to win by six lengths over favorite Musical Heart.

It was another 12 1/4 lengths back to Empty Tomb in third.

The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up was run on a fast track, against the backdrop of a snow-covered infield. A winter storm earlier in the week forced the cancellation of the Thursday card at Aqueduct.

Backsideofthemoon ($9.20) broke sharply in the Queens County and set fractions of 24.18 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.39 for the half-mile and 1:13.17 for six furlongs, while chased by Musical Heart. In the stretch, Backsideofthemoon went on to a clear win, covering the distance on a fast track in 1:52.94.

:: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more.

“He broke very well,” winning rider Jose Lezcano told the publicity department at Aqueduct. “I sent him a little bit and after that he just jumped right in the bridle. He seemed very confident the whole way around. When I asked him, he gave me everything he had and just kept on going.”

Rudy Rodriguez trains Backsideofthemoon for Repole Stable.

“We never expected to see him on the lead, but Jose said he broke so sharp and was really in the bridle,” Rodriguez told publicity. “He just left him alone. He always tries - that’s why we claimed him.”

Repole Stable claimed the horse for $62,500 in September at Belmont Park.

Backsideofthemoon, a son of Malibu Moon, registered his first career stakes in 2018 in the Jazil at Aqueduct. He has now won 8 of 47 starts and $722,216. The Queens County was his second straight win following a Nov. 13 allowance at Aqueduct.