La Fuerza wins Aspirant Stakes; Sassy Agnes takes Lady Finger

La Fuerza delivered as the 1-4 favorite Saturday at Finger Lakes, running down Kadens Courage in the stretch to win the second stakes race of his career in the $112,850 Aspirant. La Fuerza scored by three lengths over Kadens Courage, while it was another 6 3/4 lengths back to Pay the Vet in third.

The Aspirant was the first of two stakes on the card, both for 2-year-olds bred in New York. Sassy Agnes ($7.70) won her maiden in the $112,388 Lady Finger.

La Fuerza ($2.50) has now been favored in all four of his starts, winning three, including the $98,000 Rockville Centre by 4 1/2 lengths on July 14 at Belmont Park. He came into the Aspirant off a fifth-place finish in the Funny Cide on Aug. 24 at Saratoga.

La Fuerza broke from the rail in the Aspirant and took the field through an opening quarter in 22.69 seconds. Kadens Courage shot to the lead soon afterward and separated himself from his rivals through a half-mile in 46.88 seconds. Into the stretch, La Fuerza was angled off the rail by Chris DeCarlo, and the pair took after the leader before going on to cover six furlongs on a fast track in 1:12.97.

Todd Pletcher trains La Fuerza for Barry Schwartz. The horse has now earned $172,910. La Fuerza is by Flatter, while his third dam produced Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Volponi.

In the Lady Finger, Sassy Agnes moved to the lead on the turn and never gave up her advantage when challenged late to win her maiden in the six-furlong stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Mia Meatloaf finished three-quarters of a length back in second, while it was another 13 1/2 lengths back to Jaded Lady in third.

Sassy Agnes tracked favorite Shesasuperfreak through an opening quarter in 22.34 seconds before taking command through a half-mile in 46.65. She went on to cover the distance in 1:12.94. Oscar Gomez was aboard for trainer Linda Rice.

Sassy Agnes is a daughter of Central Banker who came into the Lady Finger off a runner-up finish in a maiden special weight for statebreds Sept. 2 at Saratoga. She races for Beach Haven Thoroughbreds and for the win earned $67,432.