Sculcos Folly, Hot Currency take divisions in New York Stallion Series
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Favorites dominated both divisions of the New York Stallion Series Saturday at Aqueduct, each one with similar trips and winning by almost the identical margin.
In the $194,000 Mind Your Biscuits for 3-year-old males, Sculcos Folly ($4.04), under Jaime Rodriguez, stalked the pacesetting Illmatic to the five-sixteenths pole, took the lead by the quarter pole and galloped to an 8 1/2-length victory.
One race later, in the $194,000 Fourstar Cook for 3-year-old fillies, Hot Currency ($3.78) worked out nearly the same exact trip and cruised to an 8 1/4-length victory.
Moreover, in both five-horse fields, the order of finish was in parimutuel wagering order.
Sculcos Folly, a son of Redesdale owned by Michael Dubb and trained by Rick Dutrow Jr., won his third consecutive race and fifth from seven starts overall. While still racing in a forward position, Sculcos Folly is relaxing more in his races, according to Rodriguez.
“Every time he runs, he gets smarter and more mature,” Rodriguez said. “He was more calm today and more relaxed. I loved the way he ran today.”
Dutrow said that Rodriguez told him after Sculcos Folly’s front-running victory in the Gander Stakes on March 7, “this horse settled for me on the lead, you wouldn’t believe, and today he did it again so it’s a new weapon that he’s got,” Dutrow said.
For Dutrow, it was one of three wins on the card and the richest race he’s won since Captain Cook captured the $250,000 Withers Stakes in February 2025.
“It’s fun to win these kinds of races,” Dutrow said. “I miss ‘em.”
Sculcos Folly covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.85.
Dubb indicated that Sculcos Folly would likely point to the $200,000 Mike Lee Stakes for New York-breds on June 3 at Saratoga.
In the Fourstar Crook, Hot Currency stalked Miss Jane Hathaway for the opening 3 1/2 furlongs, took over midway on the far turn and just cruised in the lane under Manny Franco for her second victory from six starts. Hot Currency is expected to be awarded first in the $500,000 Fifth Avenue division of the NYSS due to a medication violation for the first-place finisher Braverthanubelieve.
Franco said he got the stalking trip he wanted as he figured debut winner Miss Jane Hathaway would go to the lead from the rail under Reylu Gutierrez.
“I knew from the one hole he was going to try to send and that’s what he did and I was happy because I knew what to expect,” Franco said. “I just sat second and she was traveling comfortable the whole way around.”
Greek Goddess, away slow, rallied to get second by 2 1/2 lengths over Irish Fortune, who was 4 3/4 lengths better than Miss Jane Hathaway. Rock Steady Babe was last. Clap Back, Power of Women and Hip Hop Dancer all scratched.
Hot Currency, a daughter of Central Banker owned by Winning Move Stable, Sanford Robbins, Sheila Rosenblum’s Lady Sheila Stable, and Silverwood Stables and trained by Linda Rice, covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.32.
Hot Currency is a likely candidate for the $200,000 Bouwerie Stakes at Saratoga on June 3.
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