Bee Noteworthy Scores in NY Stallion Series Stakes

Check Mark Stables' Bee Noteworthy stole the show in the New York Stallion Series Stakes Nov. 12, speeding down the rail late to draw off to a 5 1/4 length score.

The seven-furlong event for fillies and mares 3 and older was completed in 1:25.36 over a fast track at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Berhnik's Bank led the field onto the backstretch, posting fractions of :23.69 and :46.89 for the first half-mile. Wonderment moved closer to the leader rounding the turn for home, but as the field straightened into the stretch it was Bee Noteworthy who shot up the inside to steal the lead. Frosty Margarita closed from last to get second.

"When she's on top of her game, she has that big kick, and thankfully she had it today again," said winning jockey Rajiv Maragh. "There seemed to be a few potential speed horses in there, and for our style, the faster, the better. I was hoping that they'd go fast. It was an honest pace and I just felt confident in her that if she showed her best run, she would be right there. She surpassed my expectations with such a big kick.

"She's consistent. She runs her race almost every time and she's gradually stepped up into bigger races and kept her form. When the races get tougher, sometimes horses can't compete, but every time she steps up, she gives more and more. Today was her toughest race and it was her best performance."

Trained by H. James Bond, Bee Noteworthy returned $9.20, $4.50, and $2.90. Runner-up Frosty Margarita paid $6.00 and $3.80, while Bluegrass Jamboree returned $2.90 to show.

A 5-year-old Read the Footnotes mare, Bee Noteworthy has only finished of the board twice in 14 lifetime starts and has a record of 7-4-1 for earnings of $269,685.

"She loves this track. This is pretty much her home base," said assistant trainer Kevin Bond. "Rajiv made a very smart decision and saved ground on the inside and we were very fortunate today and she got a good trip. 

"She's very honest, she tries every time and has a lot of heart. She kind of warms up on her own and she knows the drill. Rajiv keeps her in the game. One thing we know about her, she's always going to make a run no matter what. It just depends on where she is and the trip she gets."

Bred by Sequel Stallions New York and Willard Freeman, Bee Noteworthy is out of the Anees mare Beesanees.