Final stakes race this year over Aqueduct’s main track, $75,000 Montauk at mile-and-eighth for NY-bred fillies & mares, was virtual match race, as Rick Dutrow’s Ice Cool Kitty, odds-on favorite in field of nine, rocketed to front along rail under Edgar Prado, set pace under heavy pressure from 25-1 Scatkey, aggressively ridden by Mike Luzzi.
Given disparity in odds, you’d think Ice Cool Kitty would shake off Scatkey and win for fun. But Scatkey, trained by Pat Kelly, never gave up; in fact, through final furlong she was getting to Ice Cool Kitty, cutting into margin steadily but falling short by neck, with Borrowing Base coming on late to be another neck back in third.
Channing Hill rode three winners yesterday, moving him into third in jockey standings for Big A fall meet behind Javier Castellano (19) and Alan Garcia (18). Rick Dutrow Jr. took training title over Kiaran McLaughlin, 10-9, followed by Mike Hushion (8) and Gary Contessa (7). Racing moves to inner dirt track Wed. for remainder of year, and into next March if racing continues beyond Dec. 31 expiration of NYRA franchise.
FOURTH RACE: D. Wayne Lukas’ 2-year-old Aptitude filly Color Me Up, 5-1, who set pace last out going mile, had 4½ length lead top of stretch but settled for second, again went to lead going mile, set pace in hand under Cornelio Velasquez, stalked by Miss Stonestreet, 9-2 under Stewart Elliott. Color Me Up had daylight lead top of stretch, still looked like winner inside final furlong. But Miss Stonestreet, after rallying for third last two starts at six furlongs, took advantage of added distance, collared Color Me Up deep stretch, wore her down in final yards. Little Belle, favored at 2-1 after rallying for fourth in debut, was along late for third while not threatening top two.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 9-7-11-7-3-4
1 winner (6 of 6) paid $43,528
121 consolation (5 of 6) paid $120.50
No carryover