Thursday’s $100,000 New York
Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile on the turf attracted a diverse
field of five, including Darrin’s
Dilemma, a two-time NYSS winner this spring at Belmont Park who is looking win his first race
beyond seven furlongs.
Trained by Rudy Rodriguez for
Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stable, Darrin’s Dilemma won a NYSS going 6 ½
furlongs on the dirt in May and a NYSS at seven furlongs on the turf in June. He
enters Thursday’s race off a sixth in the Mike Lee at Belmont on June 26.
Cornelio Velasquez will ride
Darrin’s Dilemma, 7-2 on the morning line, from post position 2.
The 2-1 morning-line favorite for
Thursday’s race is Freud’s Honor,
who finished second to Darrin’s Dilemma in May’s NYSS. The Raymar stables
color-bearer has made three starts at Monmouth Park in the interim, winning a six-furlong
starter allowance in May, finishing third in the Anderson Fowler at 5 ½ furlongs
on turf in June, and wiring the Choice at 1 1/8 miles on grass on July 4.
Ridden by John Velazquez for
trainer Gregory Sacco, Freud’s Honor will leave from post 5.
Two fillies have been entered in
Thursday’s NYSS, including Hessonite, who won the filly division
of the NYSS seven-furlong turf stakes on June 5 for trainer David Donk and
owners William J. Punk, Jr. and Philip DiLeo. In her most recent start, she was
third in the Grade 3 Boiling Springs at Monmouth on June 25.
Ramon Dominguez will ride
Hessonite, the 5-2 morning-line second choice, from post 7.
From the rail out, the field also
includes Majestic Raffy (15-1), Warrior Up (8-1), Wishingonastar (12-1), and Lady on the Run (6-1).