May 11, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Suspended Suspense
A condensed five-horse field in Saturday’s $400,000 Man o’ War (G2T) proved no match for 6-5 favorite Far Bridge, who made good on his lofty billing with an impressive one-length tally.
Under the guidance of rider Joel Rosario, the 4-year-old rode the rail late into the 1 3/8-mile contest and maintained a steady position before sliding ahead for the smooth score.
The headliner on Aqueduct’s standout Saturday card certainly did not disappoint, as Far Bridge punched his ticket to June’s $1 million Manhattan (G1T).
Now victorious in four of his last five starts, including the Sword Dancer (G1T) and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1T), Far Bridge’s latest success paid a modest $2.60.
Fix My Pride
After finishing second in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and capturing the Busher Stakes four months later, Jody’s Pride dropped her next four starts, all at the graded level.
However, the tenacious 4-year-old filly experienced a change in fortune this past Saturday when she outbid the 3-1 second choice to steal the $200,000 Ruffian (G2) by three-quarters-of-a-length.
She had to work for it, but Jody’s Pride came out on top in Aqueduct’s co-main event as the third-longest shot in the field of seven.
The much-needed triumph gave the Jorge Abreu charge her fourth win across nine starts (4-1-1).
Jody’s Pride’s third career victory at Aqueduct paid a cool $17.60.
Winding Road
It appears Hill Road is settling in nicely following an adventurous five-race stretch that saw the 3-year-old colt shuffle from the United Kingdom to California to Florida and most recently New York for the $200,000 Peter Pan (G3).
In yet another exciting finish to one of Aqueduct’s scintillating Saturday stakes, Hill Road and top rider Flavien Prat fought valiantly to overcome a rocky start and snatch the 1 1/8-mile dash from 7-1 hopeful McAfee.
The last-minute push for the wire gave Hill Road his first graded score, and first win since his professional debut last August.
At 2-1, the Chad Brown charge paid $6.10.
Exacta(ly)
The $175,000 John A. Nerud (G3), the fourth graded stakes contest sent off on Saturday at Aqueduct, was a two-horse race between Whatchatalkinabout and Silver Slugger.
What started as a six-horse contest quickly shifted into a one-on-one between the even-money favorite (Whatchatalkinabout) and 12-1 dart throw (Silver Slugger).
The latter maintained the slightest of advantages for the lion’s share of the six-furlong sprint, but ultimately ceded to the former in the final stages.
Whatchatalkinabout’s head victory kept the colt’s top-three streak alive through seven lifetime starts (4-2-1).
The narrow tally paid an even $4.
Stay Hot
Shisospicy continued her climb up the ladder, winning her third straight start in this past Saturday’s $225,000 Mamzelle (G3T) at Churchill Downs.
Lined up in post two, the 3-year-old filly shot out of the gate in a determined thrust for the front of the pack.
Once she claimed the lead, it was game over for the field of 12, as Shisospicy pulled away for the easy 4 ¼-length clearance.
The Jose Ortiz mount passed the test in her first taste of graded action after shining through in the Limestone Stakes the start before.
Shisospicy’s dominant display paid $4.80.