A Freud of Mama Upsets NYSSS Fifth Avenue Division
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
A Freud of Mama takes the New York Stallion Series Fifth Avenue Division Stakes at Aqueduct
William Butler's homebred A Freud of Mama took no issue with a muddy (sealed) track in her dirt debut. The 2-year-old Freud filly, off at odds of 23-1, ran on late to capture the $518,250 New York Stallion Series Stakes Fifth Avenue Division Dec. 15 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. was aboard A Freud of Mama, trained by Mike Maker, for the first time in the seven-furlong feature. He settled her midpack early while Maker's other entry, Time Limit, showed the way up front through fractions of :23.08 and :46.47 for the first half-mile.
Time Limit was pressed by Officer Hutchy and Bank Sting but drew off early to open up by two lengths in the stretch. A Freud of Mama moved up into third at that point, and Time Limit tired late. A Freud of Mama was moving best on the outside and crossed the finish line 1 1/2 lengths in front, defeating 10 rivals.
The final time was 1:25.81.
"It was the first time she was getting kickback, so it took her a little bit to get used to it," Vargas said. "Once she got into the bridle, she was there for me."
Officer Hutchy finished second, a neck in front of Time Limit, who held for third. Bank Sting was fourth.
The Fifth Avenue gave A Freud of Mama two wins and a third in five starts. The $288,750 winner's share of the purse pushed her earnings to $342,068. It was a rebound victory after being bumped between horses at the start of the Nov. 10 Stewart Manor Stakes on the turf at Aqueduct, where she finished sixth. A Freud of Mama earned a graded placing in the Oct. 5 Matron Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park, finishing third behind runner-up Time Limit. The bay filly broke her maiden second time out Sept. 13 sprinting on the Belmont lawn.
A Freud of Mama is out of the Carson City mare Mama Theresa, who was multiple stakes-placed on dirt and campaigned by Butler in a partnership. Mama Theresa is also the dam of a Stay Thirsty yearling filly and was last reported bred to Sharp Azteca .