Fly So Pretty goes last to first in Stewart Manor Stakes

Jockey Joel Rosario and trainer Mark Casse capped a huge weekend at Aqueduct when Rosario guided the Casse-trained Fly So Pretty from last to win Sunday’s $100,000 Stewart Manor Stakes for 2-year-old filly by a half-length over favored Miss J McKay.

It was the third stakes win of the weekend for both Rosario and Casse. On Saturday, the two teamed to win the $150,000 Artie Schiller Stakes with Curlin’s Honor. Casse also won Saturday’s $100,000 Atlantic Beach with the 2-year-old colt Jack and Noah, ridden by Jose Ortiz. Rosario won Saturday’s $100,000 Pumpkin Pie on the Michael Stidham-trained Saguaro Row. Rosario won six races on the weekend, three with first-time starters trained by Christophe Clement.

Fly So Pretty, a daughter of Sky Mesa, was the beneficiary of a fast pace and fantastic ride by Rosario. Fly So Pretty was last while Masque D’Oiseau ran an opening quarter of 21.30 seconds before being overtaken by Lucrezia, who ran a half-mile in 44.78.

Rosario had Fly So Pretty saving ground before tipping off the rail and into the five path turning for home. In the last eighth of a mile, Karak, who was fourth early, made the lead, then was briefly overtaken by Miss J McKay, but it was Fly So Pretty, moving better than them all, who got to the line first.

Miss J McKay was second by 2 1/4 lengths over Karak, who was followed by Enola Gay, Lucrezia, A Freud of Mama, Violent Point, Bayerly Seen, and Masque d’Oiseau.

Fly So Pretty, owned by Tracy Farmer, covered the six furlongs over firm turf in 1:09.16 and returned $23.20 as the sixth choice.

“I was a little bit further back than I wanted, but it looked like they were going quicker up front,” Rosario told NYRA publicity. “I was able to save ground and when we came out, she was moving.”

Noting Rosario’s prowess for being a terrific finisher, Casse said, “That’s Joel. What can I say? He’s amazing.”

Fly So Pretty overcame being checked twice to win a maiden race at Saratoga in her second start. Then she finished sixth in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies on Aug. 31.

“Kentucky Downs, some horses like it, some don’t,” Casse said. “Tyler [Gaffalione] said she was lost at every point in the race.”

Casse said he would most likely give Fly So Pretty a break and point to a 3-year-old campaign in 2020.

Casse did say that he would most likely give Jack and Noah a try around two turns in the Grade 3, $100,000 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at Del Mar on Dec. 1.

Our Super Nova takes Staten Island

After just falling short in the $250,000 Empire Distaff at Belmont Park, Our Super Nova was simply dominant in winning Sunday’s $150,000 Staten Island division of the New York Stallion Stakes by 4 1/2 lengths over Fair Regis.

Under Junior Alvarado, Our Super Nova was 5 1/2 lengths back off a modest half-mile in 48.31 seconds seconds set by Carrera Cat. Alvarado, who had Our Super Nova wide and in the clear the entire way, came four to five wide in the lane and was able to outfinish favored Fair Regis, who had taken over turning for home.

Our Super Nova, a daughter of Boys At Tosconova, is owned by Michael Foster, Lauren Linn, and Charlton Baker and trained by Baker. The filly covered seven furlongs in 1:25.91 and returned $7.90 as the 5-2 second choice. It was her first stakes win her eighth try.

“I thought I was in a good position,” Alvarado said. “Last time, we broke slow and she was even further back, but she made up a ton of ground. [Today], I just wanted to make sure she was comfortable and in a nice rhythm so I would have horse left at the end.”

Fair Regis held second by a nose over My Roxy Girl. Espresso Shot was fourth, followed by Kid Is Frosty, Bluegrass Jamboree, Carrera Cat, and Purrageous Dyna. Newly Minted, Filibustin, and Cathy Naz scratched.