Smokey Smokey edges Mattingly in Paradise Creek

Smokey Smokey became a stakes winner Sunday when he fought for a neck win over Mattingly in the $150,000 Paradise Creek at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct.

It was another two lengths back in third to Feltrinelli.

The Paradise Creek was a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds, and was run over the outer turf.

Smokey Smokey ($15), who was supplemented to the race, pressured pacesetter Mattingly through fractions of 22.45 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.11 for the half-mile. The eventual winner took the lead in the stretch as the pacesetter fought on, with Smokey Smokey covering the distance on firm ground in 1:08.19.

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"I got a beautiful trip," winning rider Ramon Vazquez told the New York Racing Association. "So I knew I had a lot of horse. I just waited for the moment to ask him. Right at the moment I asked him, he responded very well."

Vazquez was aboard for trainer Mike Maker, and the win was one of two the men had together on the card Sunday.

Smokey Smokey came into the Paradise Creek off a runner-up finish in the Animal Kingdom at Turfway Park - a race that has now produced three next-out stakes winners. The others are Valentine Candy and Joe Shiesty.

Smokey Smokey is a son of Mendelssohn who races for Pura Vida Investments. He is now 2 for 8 for earnings of $199,370.

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