Favorites deliver in New York-bred juvenile stakes

Favorites came through in both stakes at Finger Lakes on Monday, with Listentoyourheart winning the $114,213 Aspirant and My Italian Rabbi romping in the $108,775 Lady Finger. Both races were for New York-breds going six furlongs, with the Aspirant for 2-year-olds and the Lady Finger for 2-year-old fillies.

Listentoyourheart, owned by Merrylegs Farm and trained by Christophe Clement, was a bit unlucky in his last two starts, both statebred stakes at Saratoga. He was nailed in deep stretch by Sky of Hook in the Rick Violette, then had trouble at the start and finished third in the Funny Cide.

On Monday, Listentoyourheart broke well and proved uncatchable in the stretch under Manny Franco.

Listentoyourheart stalked pacesetter A Maize Zing Rip early in the race and grabbed the lead midway on the turn. Mission Wrapitup made a run at him, but Listentoyourheart maintained a two-length advantage to the wire. Mission Wrapitup held second by 2 1/2 lengths over A Maize Zing Rip.

A son of Afleet Alex, Listentoyourheart covered the six furlongs in 1:13.44 and returned $3.60 to win.

Earlier on the card, My Italian Rabbi was never challenged in winning the Lady Finger as a 1-20 favorite.

My Italian Rabbi led all the way under Jaimie Rodriguez, finishing 6 3/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Single Verse, with Light in the Sky third in the five-horse field.

Owned by Gold Square and trained by Jeremiah Englehart, My Italian Rabbi ran the six furlongs in 1:13.02 – 0.42 of a second faster than Listentoyourheart – and paid $2.10 to win.