OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Will E Sutton, a $1 million yearling purchase at Saratoga in 2019, makes his career debut in the seven-furlong first race Monday at Aqueduct. While trainer Jonathan Thomas has hopes for the son of Curlin, he’s not necessarily expecting the colt to display his best at first asking. “He’s typical of his sire, getting stronger and more mature with time,” Thomas said Friday. “His connections have been really patient. The last couple of works have been well executed. We’re not trying to do anything exciting first out but get a nice start under his belt.” Will E Sutton, owned by Robert LaPenta and Stonestreet Stable, is by Curlin out of the dam Yes Liz, both of whom won first time out. Curlin won his debut on the first weekend of February going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park. :: Click to learn about our DRF's Free Past Performance program. Will E Sutton has a flashy work tab leading into his debut, including a bullet work from the gate on Jan. 22 and a half-mile in 48.60 seconds on Jan. 31, the second-fastest of 101 drills at the distance over the Belmont training track. “Clearly, he has a beautiful physique; as he’s gotten fitter and understood his job more he’s been doing everything a step quicker than he was a month ago or 60 days ago,” Thomas said. “I highly doubt he’s going to run shorter than seven furlongs again, but it’s easier than debuting at a mile or a mile and an eighth. By no means are the screws tightened to make this a winning debut. Whatever he does, he’ll do on his own accord.” Manny Franco will ride Will E Sutton from post 3 in a seven-horse field that also includes Nepotism, also trained by Thomas. Nepotism, a son of Union Rags, is making his fourth start. He is coming back a week after finishing third in a 1 1/8-mile race. “He was a bit one-paced,” Thomas said. “It’s a short field, he came out of the race well, we’ll wheel him back and see. I’m a little confused what his best distance will be. Off his pedigree and his looks, you’d think he’d want to go a little further.” Earlier this meet, Thomas won with first-time starter Nicky the Vest, a New York-bred son of Runhappy who is pointing to the $100,000 Gander Stakes here Feb. 14.