Winning Move Stable sweeps Aqueduct stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - While most people are looking forward to Wednesdays opening of Belmont Park, owner Steve Sigler and his partners with Winning Move Stable probably hated to see Aqueduct come to an end on Sunday.

Winning Move capped a terrific spring meeting by sweeping the final two stakes races of the meet on Sunday. Woodlander, a recent private purchase by Winning Move, rallied to win the Grade 3, $114,100 Fort Marcy Handicap. Thirty minutes earlier, even-money favorite Accountforthegold went gate to wire to take the $69,550 Kings Point Handicap for New York-breds. Both horses are trained by Gary Contessa, who won three races on the card.

The two victories gave Winning Move 12 wins from 56 starts at the 19-day inner track meet. Winning Move was also the leading owner for the four-month inner track meet.

Woodlander, a 5-year-old son of Forestry, won the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes for Darley Stable and trainer Tom Albertrani in 2005. But he only won once in his next eight starts through 2006 and was sold to Winning Move as part of a package deal.

In the Fort Marcy, he received a superb ground-saving trip under Alan Garcia before tipping out three wide turning for home. He took over from Pa Pa Da and Baron Von Tap inside the eighth pole and held off a late run from Golden Commander, who encountered traffic trouble in the stretch. Woodlander, who won by a neck, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.88 over a good turf course and returned $27.20

The win was one of two on the day for Garica, who finished with 23 winners for the spring meet, one win short of leading rider Ramon Dominguez.

One race earlier, Accountforthegold went gate to wire under Mike Luzzi to take the $69,550 Kings Point Handicap by 6 1/4 lengths. Who What Win, who tracked Accountforthegold the entire way, held second by a neck over Funny Cide.

Accountforthegold, a 5-year-old son of Successful Appeal, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.41 and returned $4.30.