Espresso Shot bounces back with victory in Staten Island

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - After winning stakes at 2 and early in her 3-year-old year, Espresso Shot seemed poised to have a nice career.

Things went sour for Espresso Shot after her victory in the Busher Stakes in March 2019, and she lost her next 10 starts. Following a fifth-place finish in the Iroquois Stakes last month at Belmont Park month, there was talk of retiring the New York-bred daughter of Mission Impazible.

Espresso Shot may have put that plan on hold after scoring a solid two-length victory over Prairie Fire in Sunday’s $100,000 Staten Island division of the New York Stallion Stakes at Aqueduct.

“The last race was going to be her last race,” trainer Jorge Abreu said. “I know they’re going to keep her running now after she won today.”

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She should certainly remain in training through at least the Aqueduct meet, as Espresso Shot recorded her third stakes victory over the main track.

Breaking from the rail Sunday, John Velazquez hustled Espresso Shot away from the rail, allowed Sadie Lady, under Kendrick Carmouche, to clear her and took up a stalking position from the outside after a quarter run in 23.76 seconds. Espresso Shot drew on even terms midway around the turn and it wasn’t until the turn for home that Velazquez asked his filly to run. When he did, Espresso Shot put away Sadie Lady and easily held off the favorite Prairie Fire to win by two lengths.

Velazquez said he wanted to keep Espresso Shot closer to the pace in the Iroquois Stakes, but the field ran away from her early, she took dirt in the face and couldn’t keep up.

“Today was totally different,” Velazquez said. “She was closer, in hand, much better today.”

Prairie Fire finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of Officer Hutchy, who was followed, in order, by Bankers Daughter, Sadie Lady, Fight On Lucy, and Steal My Heart.

Espresso Shot, owned by NY Final Furlong Stable, Maspeth Stables, and Parkland Thoroughbreds, completed the seven furlongs in 1:24.64 and returned $15.20 as the fourth choice.

“This makes me feel good because she trained well in the morning, she trained like she wants to do it in the afternoon, she hasn’t panned out until now,” Abreu said.

There are several one-turn opportunities at Aqueduct during the winter for Espresso Shot including the La Verdad on Jan. 3 and Biogio’s Rose on March 7, both restricted to New York-breds.