Awesome Vision broke his maiden on the second try at Aqueduct Race Course on Feb. 25, closing with a determined rushed to post a decisive 2 ¼-length score on the line.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was in the irons aboard the 3-year-old son of Awesome Again as he was for a Jan. 28 fourth-place finish first time out, and said he felt our runner was a different horse – showing marked improvement from his first start.
Awesome Vision broke his maiden on the second try at Aqueduct Race Course on Feb. 25, closing with a determined rushed to post a decisive 2 ¼-length score on the line.
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was in the irons aboard the 3-year-old son of Awesome Again as he was for a Jan. 28 fourth-place finish first time out, and said he felt our runner was a different horse – showing marked improvement from his first start.
Awesome Vision was bumped slightly at the break, spotted the leaders 9 ½ lengths at the first quarter, and had a little difficulty navigating the first turn – typical for a big, rangy horse like this. He rated very nicely down the backside and picked up the pace three-wide into the lane, surging past the tiring frontrunner in the final furlongs to draw clear. Final time for the one-mile maiden special weight was 1.39.66.
“What a great effort,” said trainer Mike Hushion. “The blinkers and added distance really helped. He took the first turn a bit awkwardly, but he’s still learning, and this was his first try around two turns. He trained really well since his first start, and I figured he’d run big in here.”
About eight Partners and their families were at the track to celebrate the win. West Point Thoroughbreds founder and president Terry Finley was also there.
“This colt looked awesome in the paddock – he’s really grown and filled out,” he said. “The turns on the inner track can be pretty tight. I see him being the type of horse that really thrives at Belmont Park where there are more one-turn races this spring. He should only get better and better as he matures. What a race!”
