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Bank Frenzy up in time to win $100K Alex M. Robb

by Mary Eddy

LSU Stables’ Bank Frenzy got his nose down on the wire over pacesetter Doc Sullivan to win Saturday’s $100,000 Alex M. Robb, a one-turn mile for New York-breds 3-years-old and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Rudy Rodriguez and ridden by Manny Franco, the 4-year-old Central Banker gelding notched his second career stakes victory after capturing the Evan Shipman Handicap this summer at Saratoga Race Course. He wrapped a consistent campaign that saw him win or finish second in 6-of-7 starts.

Larry Sarf of LSU Stables said Bank Frenzy – a perfect 4-for-4 on wet tracks – benefitted from a rainy Saturday as he carried a field-high 126 pounds over the sloppy and sealed footing.

"He loves the wet track. When it's wet, you can't beat him,” Sarf said. “He was carrying more weight than all of the other horses, so it makes it a little tougher. I think he likes a little more distance, but he made the way. He stalked the lead and the big thing was he wasn't getting any splash back, because he was laying on the outside. It was a great ride by Manny."

Bank Frenzy emerged from post 6 in the field of seven and took forward position as the Jose Lezcano-piloted Doc Sullivan bounded to the lead exiting the chute and marked the opening quarter-mile in 22.73 seconds.

Doc Sullivan put a two-length cushion between him and the pair of El Grande O and Bank Frenzy with those two well clear of their remaining rivals down the backstretch. El Grande O and Bank Frenzy were angled out after the half-mile in 45.60 before Sheriff Bianco attempted to advance on the inside from fourth, but Doc Sullivan was still well in command as the field rounded the turn and reached the top of the lane.

Doc Sullivan dug in gamely in the lane after three-quarters elapsed in 1:10.29 while Bank Frenzy swept past the all-out El Grande O and gained with every stride on the outside. Doc Sullivan refused to yield, but Bank Frenzy found enough late to nip his foe by a nose at the wire and complete the course in 1:36.81.

Sheriff Bianco came on for show another 4 1/2 lengths back with Whittington Park finishing fourth. Colloquy, El Grande O and Olympic Dreams completed the order of finish. Neural Network was scratched.

Franco said a good break was a major key to victory.

"I was traveling fine. My horse broke good. Sometimes he doesn't break, but today he broke with the field, so I took advantage of that,” Franco said. “I put him right next to the [morning line] favorite. The one on the lead was tough to go by. I got to give credit to that horse, too. My horse was trying, giving all he had, and I got him right there at the wire.”

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman, Bank Frenzy is out of the Tiznow mare Storm Now and sold for $110,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. He banked $55,000 in victory while improving his record to 14-6-5-0 and returning $4.70 on a $2 win wager as the post time favorite.

Lezcano, aboard the Michael Miceli-trained stakes-winner Doc Sullivan, said he was proud of the sophomore colt’s effort in defeat.

"He gave me a good race. The trainer told me to send him to the lead. It worked out,” Lezcano said. “He ran good. He wanted to be clean and go on."

Live racing resumes Sunday at the Big A with a nine-race card featuring the Listed $150,000 Queens County in Race 8 on Closing Day of the Aqueduct fall meet. First post is 12:10 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.