Turned Aside bounces back again, wins Turf Sprint

Facing older horses for the first time in his career, Turned Aside parlayed an alert beginning and patient handling from regular rider Jose Lezcano into a 1 1/4-length victory over the late-running El Tormenta in Saturday’s $100,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship.

True Valour finished third.

The win marked the fourth time in succession that Turned Aside, one of only two 3-year-olds in the field, had followed losses with clear-cut victories. The streak dated to the end of his 2-year-old campaign and included a 1 3/4-length decision in the Grade 3 Quick Call this summer at Saratoga.

Turned Aside, as is usually the case, broke on top before being reserved just off the early pace set by the tepid 3-1 favorite Sayyaaf and prompted by the 125-1 outsider Hollywood Talent. Turned Aside fanned three wide while commencing his bid into the stretch, stuck his head in front after five furlongs, quickly opened a comfortable advantage and remained clear at the end.

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El Tormenta, making his first start since early May, raced midpack while outside horses, finishing willingly down the center of the course to be second best. Sayyaaf stopped badly once relinquishing the lead and was eased to the wire far back.

Owned by the Estate of the late Paul Pompa Jr. and trained by Linda Rice, Turned Aside covered six furlongs over the firm course in 1:10.89 and paid $12.00.

“It’s a big step up to run a 3-year-old against older horses and I thought this was a deep, competitive field,” Rice said. “There were some really solid turf sprinters in here. It’s the end of the 3-year-old season, so we didn’t have very many options.”

Rice called the victory “bittersweet” with Turned Aside’s owner-breeder Paul Pompa Jr. having passed away in October.

“It brings tears to my eyes with his family here,” Rice said. “I just wish Paul could have been here today. He would have been so excited."