The Lewis Dinner, Chasing Bubbles Victorious

Odds-on choice The Lewis Dinner and 16-1 outsider Chasing Bubbles were victorious in a pair of New York Stallion Series divisions for state-bred 2-year-olds Dec. 28 at Aqueduct Racetrack.



In the $150,000 Fifth Avenue division for fillies at six furlongs, 3-10 shot The Lewis Dinner took over from early pacesetter Saluda after the opening quarter mile. The winning daughter of Posse   pulled away from her four opponents in the stretch after being put to the drive by jockey Manuel Franco to win by 4 3/4 lengths. The final time for six furlongs over a fast inner track was 1:12.46.



Coming off a 3 3/4-length score in the restricted Key Cents Stakes on the main track Nov. 16 at Aqueduct, The Lewis Dinner has won three in a row.



"She took a bad step out the gate, but after that she took the lead pretty easy," Franco said of her latest effort. "She went well and I think she improved from last time out."



The Lewis Dinner paid $2.60, $2.10, and $2.10, with second choice Kathy's Humor holding the place spot and returning $2.90 and $2.30. The exacta was worth $7.80. Saluda was 3 1/2 lengths farther back in third, paying $3.20.



Rudy Rodriguez trains The Lewis Dinner for the partnership of Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, and Gary Aisquith. The dark bay filly improved her career mark to 3-2-1 in six starts with earnings of $229,500.



"We've always liked her," said Gustavo Delgado, assistant to Rodriguez. "We thought she ran good; Manny didn't ask her for much. She didn't switch leads in the stretch, but Manny said he just left her alone because she was running so well."



Bred by James Lamonica, Lee Sacks, Soave Stables, and Posse Syndicate out of the Jump Start   mare Nick's Honor, The Lewis Dinner was purchased by Dubb for $50,000 in April from Eisaman Equine and Gary C. Young, agent, at the Ocala Breeders' Sale Spring Sale of Two-year-Olds in Training.



Eisaman Equine acquired the filly for the same price when she was consigned by Vinery Sales and Millennium Farms at the Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Preferred New York Bred Yearling Sale in August 2013.



Two-races later, Chasing Bubbles upset 1-2 choice Disco Partner with a front-running score by 1 1/2 lengths in the $150,000 Great White Way division.



Ridden by Israel Rodriguez for trainer Ken McPeek, Windhorse Thoroughbreds' homebred posted his second win in a row following a maiden tally at the $40,000 claiming level over the inner track Dec. 13.



Chasing Bubbles broke well from post 7 in the eight-horse field. He quickly opened up a two-length lead, which he extended slightly through quarter-mile fractions of :23.95 and :47.63. The son of Posse led by three lengths leaving the eighth pole and held sway late in a final time of 1:12.65 for six furlongs.



An unlucky Disco Partner, ridden by Junior Alvarado, was knocked sideways and stumbled shortly after the start to be sixth in the early going. The heavy favorite chased the pacesetter into the turn, advancing into second in the stretch, and closed ground belatedly to secure the runner-up spot. Clockwork was a half-length farther back in third. 



Chasing Bubbles, out of the stakes-winning Cherokee Run mare Scottish Bubbly, boosted his earnings to $124,597 with his second win in six starts. He is a half sibling to stakes winner Sentimental Lass (by Freud  ), and is the fourth winner from as many starters produced by his dam.



The winner paid $35, $8.10, and $4, topping an $84 exacta with Disco Partner, who returned $2.70 and $2.10. Clockwork paid $2.60 to show.