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2006 Whirlaway Stakes Results

Date: 02/12/2006

On Saturday, horses still "on the fence" for the Triple Crown went to post in the $70,915 Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct. A field of seven 3-year-olds entered the gate in this 1 1/16 mile event on the inner dirt track with Count Fleet Stakes winner Achilles of Troy sent off as the prohibitive 3-10 favorite.

Achilles of Troy all alone at the finish

Jockey Channing Hill sent 6-1 second choice One Way Flight to the lead right out of the gate, and after getting 1 1/2 lengths ahead through an initial quarter mile in 23.08, Ramon Dominguez aboard Achilles of Troy came up along his outside to stalk the pace. The pair dueled on the front end down the backstretch through a half in 46.82 and 3/4 in 1:11.06. Turning for home, Dominguez hit Achilles of Troy three times right handed and got the needed response, as the favorite easily overtook the pacesetter. With little urging through the stretch, Achilles of Troy cruised ahead to an easy 4 3/4 length win over One Way Flight in a time of 1:43.28 over the fast track. It was 6 lengths back to 23-1 longshot Rob'em Blind in third. 9-1 third choice Psychotic Reaction showed nothing in the lane and finished last.
Results Chart

Achilles of Troy in the winner's circle. Winning owner Ernie Paragallo (far left in photo) said, "That was nothing more than an open gallop. Ramon (Dominguez) said that when you ask him, he just accelerates. At the 3/8 pole, you knew he was going in sensible fractions. As soon as he chirped him, he just explodes. As soon as Ramon asked him to ease up, he eased up. This horse can do anything you want him to do. That's why, in the morning, he doesn't work fast because we don't want him to work fast. If you ask him, he'll go out and work :56. He's got another race under his belt now. He's got the experience. He didn't really exert himself today."

Achilles of Troy in the paddock before the race. Winning jockey Ramon Dominguez said, "Once again, he went pretty quick fractions. He's just very deceiving. He just covers a lot of ground with ease. I got to the 3/8 pole, and I even got a little concerned because he was so relaxed. I wasn't sure if he was going to fire, but I didn't want to test him that early. As soon as I got to the top of the stretch, I shook him up and got an immediate response. In the stretch, once I knew he wasn't going to get beat, I put my hands down and he eased himself up. He's a real smart horse and he's got a great attitude."

One Way Flight leads first time by with Achilles of Troy at his flank. Achilles of Troy's owner Ernie Paragallo said he will ship to the Classic Mile Training Center in Florida to prepare for the Fountain of Youth Stakes or Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, since he already has Scanlon's Song going to the Wood Memorial. Paragallo said, "Now he'll go and tackle the big boys. I'd like for somebody to tell me who they are."

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