Lights Off Annie sprints to victory

After failing to successfully carry her speed around two turns, Lights Off Annie returned to her preferred sprint distance and returned to the winner's circle Sunday at Aqueduct.

Under Rajiv Maragh, Lights Off Annie seized control of the $69,680 Broadway Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares as soon as the gate opened as she led every step of the way en route to a five-length victory. Let's Fly Away, the 51-1 longest shot on the board, rallied along the rail in the stretch to get second by one-half length over 3-5 favorite Cammy's Choice, who got third by a neck over Megadeed.

Lights Off Annie, a 4-year-old daughter of Freud, had reeled off three consecutive victories at six furlongs for owner Mike Repole and trainer Bruce Levine before she attempted two turns in a first-level open company race at one mile. Lights Off Annie set the pace that day but tired to fourth.

Sunday, she never tired, carving out fractions of 23.64 seconds, 46.72, 58.41 and covering six furlongs in 1:10.83. She returned $6.20 as the 2-1 second choice along with entrymate Main Street who finished fifth.

"As long as she broke well, my intention was to try and make the lead,'' Maragh said. "She broke sharp, got up, and got comfortable on the rail. It's not like there were horses breathing down my neck and she got happy on the lead.''

When Maragh won the nightcap aboard longshot Lisa B ($29.20), it created a pick-six carryover of $46,352 into Wednesday's card.

* Due to an impending storm that could bring up to a foot of snow to the area, Aqueduct will not be open Monday for dark-day simulcasting. The track is scheduled to reopen Tuesday for simulcasting and Wednesday for live racing.