Galaxina Upsets NYSSS Park Avenue at Odds of 24-1

Off at odds of 24-1, Ascendant Farms homebred Galaxina  won the $200,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Park Avenue for eligible 3-year-old fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs April 24 in her third start for trainer James Bond at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The New York-bred daughter of Giant Surprise  had finished second in her Jan. 16 debut at the New York track, and then returned Feb. 26 to win a seven-furlong maiden race by 1 1/4 lengths.

On Sunday, favored Yo Cuz  stumbled at the start and was left to race at the back of the six-horse field, while Starship Laoban  set fractions of :23.49 and :47.34 through a half-mile. Under Trevor McCarthy, Galaxina, who raced just behind the leader, took over to post six furlongs in 1:11.61 and finished up in 1:18.08 on a fast track, one-length in front.

"She warmed up really well and broke really sharp," McCarthy said. "I was able to get her to turn off nice and sit second. When she made that burst turning for home, she gave me everything she had.

"She has been training really good and feeling really good coming into this. I give a lot of credit to the Bonds. She's a filly that probably looked a little under class, but with the right trip today and the way she's been training, I expected her to run really good."

Galaxina is the first stakes winner for her dam, the unraced Lawyer Ron mare Strange Magic.

Starship Laoban held for second 2 1/2 lengths in front of Bank On Anna . Favored Yo Cuz finished fourth.

"(Yo Cuz) broke the first jump good, but the second jump she grabbed her quarter a little bit," jockey Jose Ortiz said. "It happens. The main thing is to get her right. I still think she's the best horse in the division. She's a very nice filly. She was just unlucky today."

Yo Cuz came into Sunday's test off three consecutive stakes victories at Aqueduct.