New York-breds go a mile in the Haynesfield on Saturday at Aqueduct

By NY Hot List staff | Friday, February 23, 2024

The $100,000, one-mile Haynesfield at Aqueduct on Saturday drew a field of seven older male New York-breds. The Chad Brown runner Dr Ardito will try and win for the second time in a row and the ninth time in 15 career starts.

Regular rider Manny Franco was on board Dr Ardito for all but one of his races. Franco and Dr Ardito won three NY-bred stakes races going the mile distance including the Haynesfield in 2023.

“He’s a nice horse,” Franco said. “He’s sharp and he knows where the wire is. He always gives me everything out there, that’s a nice type of horse to be around. Every time I ride him, I try to do my best and make it happen. The horse is always there for me. I hope Saturday will be the same.”

The $100,000 Haynesfield at Aqueduct, Saturday, Race 8, 4:49 pm EST.

(3) Dr Ardito returned to NY-bred racing following a pair of starts in Grade 2 races. He won the Alex M. Robb at the end of December getting up in the final strides after running second in the Forty Niner (G2) and seventh in the Cigar Mile (G2). The now 6-year-old has eight career victories and earnings of just below $500,000. (1) Olympic Dreams was entered in a top-level allowance but opted for the Haynesfield. He was second in a state-bred stakes race in May and recently won two allowances against open company. (7) Maker’s Candy will ensure that there is early speed in the race. He also won a pair of allowance races against open company going the one-turn mile at Aqueduct. (5) Anejo won his way through open company allowances last spring and now returns from a layoff since May. He ships up from Keeneland where he has been training for this return race.

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