Photo: Adam Coglianese
Heavy favorite Darrin’s Dilemma and third choice Freud’s Honour crossed the finish line one-two in the $100,000 Times Square Division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series for New York-sired three-year-olds, giving New York sire Freud the exacta finish. Warrior Up, a son of former New York stallion Desert Warrior, closed into third.
Owned by Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables LLC and starting for the fifth time, three-year-old Darrin’s Dilemma was making his stakes bow in the Times Square, rescheduled from Sunday to Wednesday. After two second-place finishes at Belmont last May and June in restricted maiden special weight races for trainer Rick Dutrow, the white-faced bay colt moved to the barn of trainer Rudy Rodriguez, but spent the next eight-plus months on the sidelines. In his first start back over Aqueduct inner oval on March 10, Darrin’s Dilemma ran off with a 5 ½-furlong New York-bred maiden special weight contest, crushing the competition by more than seven lengths. In his next start, facing older horses in a 6 ½-furlong restricted entry level allowance at Aqueduct on April 9, he had to settle for fourth after setting the pace.
As Darrin’s Dilemma returned to his age-mates for the 6 ½-furlong Times Square, some questions about his comfort level with the distance might have lingered, but not in the minds of the wagering public, who made him the 1-to-4 favorite. Wishingonastar, a son of Wheelaway, was second choice at 4-to-1 on the strength of his open-length maiden-breaking debut at a mile on April 21 at Aqueduct, for which he earned a strong Beyer Speed Figure of 75. Third choice at 10-to-1 was Freud’s Honour, a New Jersey-bred son of Freud, coming off a restricted maiden win at Monmouth Park. Freud’s Ana Streak, also trained by Rodriguez, who also owns some early speed, was fourth choice at 12-to-1.
Freud’s Ana Streak was quickest out of the gate from post two, but Darrin’s Dilemma, who broke just to his outside under regular jockey Ramon Dominguez, quickly established a 1 ½-length lead as he ran the opening quarter mile in 23.08. Tracked by Freud’s Ana Streak and Freud’s Honour, Darrin’s Dilemma easily extended his advantage to three lengths through a half-mile in 46.04. Under only mild urging down the lane, Darrin’s Dilemma crossed the wire with a 2 ¼ length margin of victory, unchallenged from start to finish. Freud’s Honour, who had shaken clear of Freuds Ana Streak, finished second, three lengths ahead of a closing Warrior Up. Completing the order of finish were: Freuds Ana Streak, With a Cape, Wishingonastar, and Anaphylaxis. After three-quarters that went in 1:10.56, the final time for the 6 ½ furlongs over the fast Belmont track was 1:17.55. [VIDEO]
“It went as planned,” said jockey Dominguez after the race. “We were the speed of the race. I was happy with the way my horse relaxed. He’s a pretty quick horse, and even if you are the only speed you’re concerned they’ll go out too fast. He proved to be the best in this field today. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said, “I was concerned about the distance a little bit, but he ran a pretty good race. Hopefully he can keep improving, and we’ll take it from there. We’re just going to enjoy this one for now.”
Darrin’s Dilemma, whose record now stands at 2-2-0 from five starts with $99,700 in purse earnings, was bred by Tony Grey, 2009 New York Breeder of the Year, and foaled at Sequel Stallions NY. He is the second starter and second winner from the winning Precise End mare Irish Emotion purchased by Becky Thomas (agent), at the 2007 New York Mixed sale for $1,500. Freud, the sire of Darrin’s Dilemma, was New York’s leading stallion in 2008 and 2009, and stands for Sequel Stallions at Keane Stud.
