Understatement still loves the inner

Understatement continued his love affair with Aqueduct's inner track, taking over from pacesetter National Pride three furlongs out and cruising to a ridiculously easy 3 3/4-length victory in Sunday's $65,000 Stymie Stakes.

National Pride held second, one-half length ahead of Nite Light, who was followed in the order of finish by Seniors Pride, More Than a Reason, Atoned, Giant Chieftain, and Reflect Times. The Stymie was originally scheduled for Feb. 27, but postponed when that card was canceled due to snow.

Understatement ran his inner track record to 4 for 4 which included a 4 1/2-length victory in the Evening Attire Stakes on Jan. 16. Jockey David Cohen was aboard Understatement, his third winner on Sunday s card.

"We know he likes the inner track; today, he showed complete professionalism," said Jonathan Thomas, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. "He laid off the pace and was very, very relaxed, just waiting on a cue from David. He handled the mile anda an eighth beautifully. It couldn't have been drawn up any better on paper, the way it worked out."

Understatement broke sharply from the gate, but Cohen was content to let National Pride, under Richard Migliore, set the pace. Understatement was in second, always within two lengths off the pace through factions of 23.78 seconds for the quarter and 48.50 for the half-mile, before charging past National Pride after six furlongs in 1:12.71. Cohen looked behind him three times in the stretch and just hand rode Understatement to the wire.

Understatement, a 5-year-old son of Distorted Humor owned by Paul Pompa Jr., covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.63 and returned $4.70 to win.

Pick six pays $12K

Despite the fact a 63-1 shot won the last leg, there were 26 winning tickets sold on Sunday's pick six, which began the day with a two-day carryover of $117,000.

Jackie Davis rallied 63-1 shot Alykela to the wire first in the nightcap, returning $129.50. Previous to that, four favorites and one second choice captured the previous legs of the pick six, none returning more than $6.70.