Bostontonian sharp in Aspirant Stakes victory

Bostontonian ran to his odds in his June debut and again Monday in his victory in the $131,892 Aspirant Stakes at Finger Lakes.

Sent off as the 3-4 favorite in the field of eight New York-bred 2-year-olds, Bostontonian took control shortly after the start under Dylan Davis and fended off a late rally from second choice Soontobeking to win by 2 lengths.

Bostontonian, a son of Bernardini campaigned by RT Racing Stable, Smart Choice Stable and breeder Denlea Park Ltd., improved to 2-for-2 for trainer Wesley Ward in the 5 1/2-furlong Aspirant. A $40,000 purchase out of last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Bostontonian won his debut June 22 in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight for horses that sold or RNA’d for $50,000 or less at their most recent auction.

Bostontonian broke well in the Aspirant and opened up a 3-length lead to the opening quarter-mile in :22.64 over the sloppy and sealed surface with Cast a Coin, Soontobeking, Mr. Sugar Daddy and King’s Leap on the immediate chase. Bostontonian continued on an open lead around the far turn and to the half in :46.39, while King’s Leap tried to mount a run from the extreme outside with Funny Cide Stakes runner-up Soontobeking also mounting a rally.

Bostontonian fended off those challenges in the lane and held Soontobeking clear at the finish to win in 1:05.21. Soontobeking finished 1 3/4 lengths clear of King’s Leap in third.

Bostontonian, entered but scratched out of the Funny Cide Stakes on New York Showcase Day August 25 at Saratoga Race Course, earned $79,136 for the Aspirant victory to boost his bankroll to $119,456.

Bred by Denlea Park Ltd. and foaled at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, Bostontonian is out of the winning Forest Wildcat mare Falconess. She’s the dam of a Nyquist filly that sold for $350,000, the highest price for a New York-bred yearling filly at the recently concluded Keeneland September sale.

Falconess is also the dam of 2022 Lady Finger Stakes winner and $172,764-earner Curly Girl and winners Mabrouk, Consiton and Polpis and a New York-bred weanling colt by Mo Donegal born February 22.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/09/23/bostontonian-sharp-in-aspirant-stakes-victory/

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