Deputy Daney steps up off claim to win Always Run Lucky

Maryland-based shipper Deputy Daney, stepping up in class after being claimed for $25,000, used his speed to open up a big lead and held on for a 1 1/4-length victory in Sunday’s $58,800 Always Run Lucky Stakes at Aqueduct.

Ridden for the first time by Sheldon Russell, who won Saturday’s Maryland Racing Media Stakes at Laurel Park, the 4-year-old Deputy Daney ($7.20) led by as many as six lengths after a half-mile in 45.16 seconds and was still comfortably in front by 3 1/4 lengths with a furlong remaining in the six-furlong sprint.

Temecula Creek, the 3-5 favorite, rallied to get second by a neck over Independence War. The winning time was 1:09.84.

Trainer Hugh McMahon claimed Deputy Daney on behalf of Danny Limongeli on Jan. 7. Although Deputy Daney won the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes over Aqueduct’s inner track in January 2010, his last four starts prior to Sunday came for claiming tags between $15,000 and $25,000. He is now 5 for 10 lifetime.