Finger Lakes: One win from bonus

Ferocious Won is now one win away from a lucrative payday. Coming off a neck victory in the Mike Lee Stakes on June 25, Ferocious Won drove to a 1 3/4-length win in the $150,000 New York Derby at Finger Lakes, the second leg of the Big Apple Triple for 3-year-old New York-breds. He will have a shot at a $250,000 bonus if he can win the Albany Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 23.

In the New York Derby, Ferocious Won battled with Saratoga Jet for the early lead before taking command on the final turn under John Grabowski. He then held off a late run by Shuffling Maddnes, who finished second. It was another 5 1/4 lengths back to Fire One Up in third.

Ferocious Won finished the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.92 and paid $5.30 for the win.

* Earlier on the card, Johnie Bye Night put away pacesetter Pinky Freud in midstretch before drawing clear to a 2 1/4-length victory in the $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial Handicap. Off as the 1-4 favorite under jockey John Davila Jr., Johnie Bye Night ($2.50) scored his third straight win in a stakes, and his fourth straight overall. Pinky Freud finished second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of You Willgo Broke, who was third in the field of four. The winning time for six furlongs on dirt was 1:09.89.