CORNELIO VELASQUEZ SWEEPS 2-YEAR-OLD STAKES
Contact: David Mattice
Publicity Dept.
585-924-3232 x234
FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Jockey Cornelio Velasquez was aboard the winners of both 2-year-old stakes races at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on Monday. He guided Franny Freud to a three and one-half-length victory in the $150,062 Lady Finger Stakes and Ibboyee to a six and one-quarter length triumph in the $150,900 Aspirant Stakes.
Lady Finger Stakes
Franny Freud achieved her second career stakes victory in the 31st renewal of the $150,062 Lady Finger Stakes for New York-bred 2-year-old fillies. She completed the six furlong dash in a time of 1:11.84 for owners Paul Pompa, Jr., Steven Yarbrough and Winter Park Partners. The $224,029 earner wore downpacesetter Hook Me Up under Velasquez and drew away from her rival in the stretch to score the convincing win. The bay filly trained by John Terranova II ran as a coupled entry with Fresh Footnotes and paid $3.00, $2.10 and $2.10. Hook Me Up was a clear second and returned $2.50 and $2.50. Future Footnotes won the close battle for third and returned $5.90.
Aspirant Stakes
Later on the Labor Day card, Ibboyee won the 35th running of the $150,900 Aspirant Stakes. The Todd Pletcher-trainee finished the six furlong sprint for 2-year-old New York-breds in a time of 1:11.18. He was firmly rated behind horses throughout the early stages of the co-feature by Velasquez before being angled out in the stretch and cruising to the easy win. The undefeated colt improved his earnings to a sum of $119,580 in two lifetime starts for owner Anstu Stables.
He was the popular choice for the annual stake and paid $5.20, $3.20, and $2.30. Dahlgren Chapel was a distant second and returned $3.20 and $2.50. Persian Ruler was third and paid $2.90.
Live racing will continue at Finger Lakes with a 1:10 p.m. post time on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday and a starting time of 12:35 p.m. on Friday. Thursday will replace Sunday as a race day beginning September 17 with a first race post time of 1:10 p.m. The gaming floor featuring nearly 1,200 slot machines is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
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