Maedean takes advantage of perfect trip in Tempted Stakes

Maedean backed up an impressive maiden win with a stakes victory Friday, when she stormed to a 5 1/2-length win over 9-5 favorite Power Move in the $150,000 Tempted at Aqueduct.

The Tempted, a one-turn mile for 2-year-old fillies, was the opening day feature.

Vast finished third, but was disqualified for interference in the stretch and placed fourth. The action by the stewards elevated Ankle Monitor from fourth to third in the Tempted.

Maedean ($6.50) settled off the pace set by Sweet Kisses, who was pressured through an opening quarter in 23.17 seconds and a half-mile in 46.65. Maedean moved into contention midway on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:36.75.

“It was a beautiful trip,” Luis Saez, who was aboard for trainer Mark Hennig, told publicity at Aqueduct. “When we came to the stretch, she switched leads and did it by herself.”

Hennig trains Maedean for Courtlandt Farms.

“This filly has got a lot of talent and I just wanted everything to be kept out of her way,” Hennig told publicity. “I was confident that she would finish with good energy. I almost passed this race to wait on the Demoiselle because I know she’s going to love the distance. She’s going to get better going further. If you watch her train in the morning, she just never gets tired. It’s encouraging going forward."

The Grade 2, $250,000 Demoiselle for 2-year-old fillies at a mile and an eighth is Dec. 7 at Aqueduct.

Maedean, a daughter of Tapit, came into the Tempted off a 1 1/4-length maiden special weight win at Belmont Park. The race was at a mile, and for the effort she earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 82, which was the best last-race number in the Tempted.

Maedean has now won 2 of 3 starts and the first-place check of $82,500 on Friday improved her career earnings to $128,250.