Fully Vested stalks and pounces to win Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Tom Albertrani thought if Fully Vested was going to have success in Saturday’s $125,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship it would be because he made the early lead. Fully Vested did have success in the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship, but it came from a stalking position.

Sitting third early behind two speed types, Fully Vested galloped to a 7 1/4-length score in the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship, capping a huge week for Albertrani.

Fully Vested gave Albertrani his third stakes win in eight days. On Nov. 23, he won the Grade 3, $200,000 Red Smith with Sadler’s Joy. On Friday, he won the $150,000 Forever Together Stakes with Andina Del Sur. Prior to that, Albertrani had only won two stakes this year.

“It’s rewarding," said Albertrani, who did have to scratch Beau Belle from Saturday’s Grade 3 Long Island due to a temperature. "We had a slow start to the year and things finished up well. That’s what you want to see. Got to keep plugging along.”

Fully Vested was used as a rabbit of sorts in the Belmont Turf Sprint, successfully setting things up for his stablemate Final Frontier, who won that race by three-quarters of a length in October.

Saturday, jockey Jose Lezcano thought he was going to be on the lead with Fully Vested. But Gidu, breaking from the rail, and Vici, who had the outside post, outfooted him for the lead. Lezcano was happy to sit third, a length back after a quarter in 22.80 seconds and a half-mile in 46.09 over a good turf course.

Lezcano tipped Fully Vested three wide turning for home, secured the front in upper stretch, and ran away from his six rivals down the lane. Vici held second by a head over Lonhtwist, who edged Gidu for third. Following Gidu were Dubini, Nice Tune and Jammer.

“There was not too much speed, but I saw [Gidu] go and then [Vici] sent a little bit,” Lezcano said. “He was very comfortable there so I let him be. When I asked him, he really took off and won the race.”

Fully Vested, a gelding by Discreet Cat owned by Godolphin Racing, covered six furlongs in 1:09.49 and returned $5.10 as the 3-2 favorite.

“The horse just needs to be ridden comfortably without grabbing him,” Albertrani said. “I was actually surprised when he didn’t make the lead when he left there, but he was always in a good spot. That was a heck of a kick today.”