Waterway Run wins Beaugay to open New York graded turf stakes season

The third time in the U.S. proved to be the charm for Waterway Run, who finished strongly on the outside to edge Orion Moon in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Beaugay Stakes, the first graded turf stakes of the season in New York.

Following two photo-finish beats in Florida, Waterway Run was unhurried in the middle of the pack early as Assateague established opening fractions of 24.21 seconds, 48.15, and 1:12.63.

Waterway Run rallied to contention on the outside when given her cue by Jose Lezcano into the lane and finished determinedly to prove best by a neck after 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.75 on a Widener course labeled good.

“I had a very good trip,” said Lezcano. “She held her position all the way, and when I said, ‘Go,’ she went and won the race.”

Orion Moon had been beaten a head in her seasonal debut by Coffee Clique, winner of the Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile earlier in the day, and just missed in a sharp try after slipping through inside Assateague turning for home.

Waterway Run, a Pennsylvania-bred 4-year-old filly by Arch, returned $6.60 to win as the slight favorite over Orion Moon and picked up $90,000 for owner Martin Schwartz nearly doubling her previous earnings.

“When she got in the clear, she showed the kick that she has,” said winning trainer Chad Brown. “We were very pleased with the performance and the ride. The distance was key for her. A mile or a mile and a sixteenth is her game.”

Byrama finished third, followed by Scampering, who delayed the start momentarily while reluctant to load into the gate.

English Class, Assateague, and Irish Mission completed the order of finish.