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Cicciobello rallies to upset $125K NYSSS Thunder Rumble

by Christian Abdo

Massimino Rapuano’s Cicciobello rallied to clinch his first stakes victory in Saturday’s $125,000 Thunder Rumble division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, a seven-furlong sprint for eligible New York-sired horses 3-years-old and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Derek Ryan, the 5-year-old Bellamy Road gelding was a distant last-of-9 last-out in the nine-furlong state-bred Empire Classic on October 27 here. On Saturday, Cicciobello flipped the script at odds of 20-1, closing for his first stakes score in his fourth attempt.

“Usually he breaks running, so I figured he was going to be up close to the pace. It looked like he missed the break and it worked out good,” said Ryan. “He is a very honest and hard knocking horse. He is a cool horse to be around. He is about 17 and two [hands], and a big gentle giant. I’m just glad to get the win.”

Piloted by Jose Lezcano, Cicciobello exited post 4 a step slow to trail the field as Antonio of Venice and Light Man dueled through an opening quarter-mile in 22.34 seconds on the muddy and sealed track.

Cicciobello was far off the pace in seventh position as Light Man and Antonio of Venice were head-and-head at the front of a very strung out field with the half-mile elapsed in 45.44. Lezcano angled Cicciobello out rounding the turn and he followed the Luis Rivera, Jr.-piloted General Banker in hot pursuit of the front pair.

General Banker put one length in front of a tiring Light Man with an eighth to run after three-quarters in 1:11.06 as Antonio of Venice also weakened, but Cicciobello gained rapidly down the center of the course.

Cicciobello and General Banker met inside the eighth pole and they battled far out in the center of the lane. General Banker drifted out a touch and put up a game fight, but Cicciobello’s momentum was too strong and he prevailed by a neck in a final time of 1:23.84.

B D Saints, who hopped at the start, was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third, with the favored Doc Sullivan rounding out the superfecta. Kaz Sugar Bank, Light Man, Dr. Kraft, and Antonio of Venice completed the order of finish.

Lezcano said he anticipated a fast pace that could set up for closers.

“On paper, I think [there] would be a lot of speed, so I let him break and not rush him. At the three-eighths pole, I let him go and he started to pick it up. He came with a run,” said Lezcano. “My horse gave me what I need to win the race.”

Rivera, Jr. said the Jimmy Ferraro-trained General Banker was game in defeat.

“He ran huge. He’s got no excuse. The other horse came way too wide and beat me at the wire. My horse got no excuse. Hopefully, he’ll get the win next time,” said Rivera, Jr.

Bred in the Empire State by My Way Stable, Cicciobello, out of winning Eddington mare Spa Sunrise, banked $68,750 in victory while returning $43.60 for a $2 win bet.

Live racing resumes Sunday at the Big A with a nine-race card. 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.