Control System Shows She Can Rate in Cicada Win

(from Aqueduct report)
Thomas McClay’s and Harry Nye’s Control System remained unbeaten in three starts and became a graded stakes winner Saturday at Aqueduct, overtaking front-running Golden Dreamer and going on to a 3 1/2-length victory in the $109,600 Cicada (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

The inner track sprint was originally carded for March 17, but was re-scheduled when a severe ice storm forced the cancellation of that day’s card.

Trained by Laurel-based Michael Trombetta and ridden by Julien Pimentel, Control System broke from the rail and stayed there as Golden Dreamer went right for the lead to get the first quarter in :22.73. As Golden Dreamer moved to the inside, Pimentel took his mount to a wider path to target the leader as the half went in :45.56 and five furlongs in :57.56 on the fast track.

Control System, who carried 116 pounds and got six pounds from her closest rival, drew even with Golden Dreamer and battled briefly, but was clearly better as she pulled away to win in 1:10.43 on the fast track. She returned $6.50, $4.50 and $2.80 as a narrow favorite.

A daughter of Lion Hearted--Risk Aversion (Grindstone), the Pennsylvania-bred Control System won for the first time outside of Philadelphia Park, where her two victories came in front-running style by a combined margin of nearly 21 lengths.  

“I wasn’t worried when she didn’t make the lead,” Trombetta said. “(Rating is) something you don’t know until you do it, but I just had the feeling that she could do about anything. She’s a nice filly. I’ve been impressed with her now for quite some time. Everything is happening kind of quick with her. My chore now is to sit down tomorrow and find the next spot for her. We may come back for the Comely.”

The $150,000 Comely (gr. II) at a mile at Aqueduct on April 14 would seem a logical next step for a filly who continues to show plenty of promise.

“She broke a step slow,” Pimentel said. “During the turn, I angled her to the outside. She just took off from there. She was going pretty easy the whole time. She was getting out a bit looking at the other horse. Once she was clear, she just took off. To this point, she has done every thing so easy. I don’t really know how good she is.”

Golden Dreamer ($3.80, $2.70), under Norberto Arroyo Jr., was a length ahead of Special Dream ($2.90) and Alan Garcia, who necked Becky’s Flute for the show. Hungarian Boatbaby, Five Star Daydream and Glacken’s Mark trailed.

(Chart, Equibase)