Under jockey Ariel Smith, the 3-5 favorite Aggadan powered through an opening at the top of the lane and outstepped a determined Irish Colony to win the $100,000 Jennings Handicap for Maryland-breds Saturday at Pimlico.
The 5-year-old chestnut son of Carnivalay won the 1 1/8-mile event by a half-length in a time of 1:52 4/5 and paid $3.40.
The Rick Dutrow Jr.-trained Aggadan won three races in Maryland this year, including the Challedon Stakes, and placed in the Maryland Million Classic.
"Down the stretch, when he felt the horse outside of him, he just used another gear and dug in," Smith said.
Aggadan stalked an honest pace set by New York Hero and Deer Run before making his bid between horses.
Irish Colony finished a strong second and New York Hero held on for third over Play Bingo.
Aggadan, first or second in his last seven races, has now won 12 of 30 career races with 23 in-the-money finishes, for earnings of $680,301.
The seven-horse field featured three horses who competed in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), three others who were multiple stakes winners, and another who came into the race on a five-race winning streak.
(Chart,
Equibase)
Little Matth Man made an impressive return to competition by running down Bold Days to win the fourth race. It was the first start for the 3-year old since an eighth place finish in the Preakness on May 15. Trainer Marty Ciresa said the son of
Matty G spent time at a farm in Maryland after sustaining a chipped knee.
"When he came back he had gained about 150 pounds and was nasty," said Ciresa.
Little Matth Man paid $16.40 as the fourth choice in a six-horse $30,000 allowance field.
Little Matth Man is expected to finish his sophomore campaign at Aqueduct on Dec. 31 in the $75,000 Alex M. Robb Stakes for New York-breds.
(Chart,
Equibase)
