Two $500k NY Stallion Series Stakes Top Aqueduct Action

A pair of $500,000 races will put the spotlight on 2-year-olds by New York stallions Dec. 18 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The first of the two races, both at seven furlongs, is the New York Stallion Stakes Series Great White Way Division for juveniles, while the Fifth Avenue Division for fillies follows a race later. Maseta , an open stakes-placed son of Japan , will seek to transfer his grass form to dirt in the Great White Way, while Morning Matcha  brings established dirt form from Parx Racing into the Fifth Avenue.

"The New York Stallion Stakes Series works to directly benefit and promote stakeholders in the New York-bred program, especially New York stallion owners and everyone who invests in their progeny," said Najja Thompson, executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders that administers the NYSSS. "We're thankful the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund and NYRA continue to partner in supporting this 10-race series totaling $2.3 million in purses and the ability to earn 20% in addition to purse earnings with open owner's awards for finishers first through third."

Although most of the competitors were bred in New York, Morning Matcha is a Pennsylvania-foaled daughter of Central Banker  , who stands at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds. A winner of two straight for trainer Butch Reid and owners LC Racing, Cash is King, and Gary Barber, she comes off a 6 1/4-length triumph in a mile allowance optional claimer Nov. 16. She also was stakes-placed in the Finest City Stakes a few months ago.

"No doubt the longer distances have helped," said Reid. "We've been waiting to stretch her out in distance since we had her at Saratoga. A mile was perfect for her so this won't be out of reach either."

Kendrick Carmouche, the pilot in both victories, will return aboard Morning Matcha from post 6. 

"It'll be up to the jock wherever she's most comfortable," Reid said. "Inside or outside, she appears to have no qualms with anything. Kendrick has done a great job with her."

Trainer Michael Trombetta will send out Howdyoumakeurmoney , a dual-surface winner and the lone stakes winner in the Fifth Avenue field. The Commonwealth New Era Racing-owned Freud   bay graduated at second asking on turf against fellow New York-breds Sept. 3 at Saratoga Race Course and one month later captured the 6 1/2-furlong Presque Isle Debutante Stakes on the synthetic Tapeta surface there.

Mychel Sanchez will be aboard from post 7.

Joseph Bucci's Laoban's Legacy  will seek her first stakes victory, coming off a runner-up effort against open company winners for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.

Unique Unions , trained and co-owned by Rich Schosberg with Clear Stars Stable and Mitre Box Stable, enters the Great White Way off an impressive 4 1/4-length maiden special weight romp at Aqueduct Nov. 20.

"I was expecting him to run big," said Schosberg. "Manny worked him for us to get a feel for him, and he really liked him. We have had some really nice horses come through this barn and he sure acts the part." 

Unique Union's maiden score came on the heels of a troubled first start at Belmont Park Sept. 25 when he briefly made a bid for the lead after the break but took an awkward step and was pulled up and vanned off rounding the turn. Schosberg said the gelding sustained no injuries and was vanned as a precautionary measure. 

Schosberg also spoke to the purse money offered by the New York Stallion Stakes Series, emphasizing the importance of awarding breeders for their dedication to the New York program.

"These stallion stakes are a huge plus for us," said Schosberg. "It's fantastic that they can have a purse like this. It's a great opportunity to earn some big money with some horses that have connections that took the time and resources to get through the process.

"The idea is to keep good stallions here in New York, which is key to our breeding industry. We need mares to breed to New York sires as opposed to shipping elsewhere as it helps the economy here in New York. This is a great way to promote it." 

A win with Unique Unions would provide Schosberg with his second Great White Way victory after conditioning Rush Chairman Bill to take the 1992 edition. 

Unique Unions will exit post 1 with Franco in the irons again. 

One of his main threats appears to be the maiden Stirdatpot , who ran second on debut at Churchill Downs. A homebred son of Trinniberg for Londono and Charlie Hancock, Stirdatpot will look to become trainer Genevieve Londono's second stakes winner from 13 starters.