Susie Raisher Photo

Golden Rocket blasts up rail to take $125K NYSSS Staten Island

by Mary Eddy

John Witte and Morris Kernan, Jr.'s Golden Rocket stormed up the rail to claim victory under jockey Manny Franco in Saturday’s $125,000 Staten Island division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, a seven-furlong test for eligible state-sired fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Ilkay Kantarmaci, the 5-year-old Alpha chestnut notched her second NYSSS victory after taking the Statue of Liberty on turf in 2022 at Saratoga Race Course, and also provided her conditioner with his first career American stakes score.

Kantarmaci said the win was special after taking over training duties in September for his brother Mertkan, whom he used to be an assistant to.

"I'm super happy. Under my name, this is my first stakes in the United States,” Kantarmaci said. “We used to do everything with Mertkan. Now he is on vacation. I'm so emotional. Life is so good.”

Golden Rocket emerged well from the inside post and settled in third a half-length off the pace set by the Katie Davis-piloted Sunday Girl, who marked splits of 23.26 seconds and 46.77 over the muddy and sealed footing.

“I was feeling good. I was right there, not too far, and that’s where I wanted to be,” Franco said. “It worked out great for me.”

Franco gave his charge her cue midway through the turn as Sunday Girl’s David Duggan-trained stablemate Lisa’s Vision gave chase on the outside, the trio remaining well clear of their other rivals. A stubborn Sunday Girl relinquished command at the top of the lane with Golden Rocket taking a one-length advantage before driving home a 3 1/2-length winner in a final time of 1:25.13.

Sunday Girl held second by two lengths over Lisa’s Vision with Khali Magic, the favored My Shea D Lady and Athena Beach completing the order of finish. Brown Suga Babe was scratched.

Franco said he was comfortable throughout his stalking trip.

“I just sit on the rail and they went pretty OK, honest pace in front,” Franco said. “I was close and I have filly the whole way around. I was just waiting for the right moment to move and I got the room, so I went for it. She sustained the run.”

Kantarmaci said he was pleased with the ride from Franco to bring Golden Rocket back to the winner’s circle after a last-out fourth in the local state-bred Iroquois on October 27, her first outing off the $45,000 claim for Kantarmaci.

"She ran very good last time and today was the perfect trip for her,” Kantarmaci said. “It was excellent. She got the job done. Manny gave us a perfect ride."

Bred in New York by Ballybrit Stables, Golden Rocket banked $68,750 in victory while returning $18.60 on a $2 win ticket.

Davis said the stakes-winning Sunday Girl performed admirably in her first effort since a July optional claiming score at Saratoga under Flavien Prat.

“It was good to get back on her and give her that nice, easy run with the 46 [seconds for the half-mile],” Davis said. “She’s matured so much since, and they’re great horsemen. They do a wonderful job. She really gave her all and I just think it was a little too far for her.”

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.