19 Abr. USA. Bed o' Roses H. G2. Aqueduct. 7f. Dirt. 150.000 $
1.- RITE MOMENT (R.Maragh)
2.- LADY MARLBORO (J.Castellano)
3.- COWGIRLS DON'T CRY (A.Garcia)


Rite Moment edged past early pacesetter Cowgirls Don’t Cry on the turn, shook clear in midstretch, and easily held back runner-up Lady Marlboro to capture her second straight graded stakes race in the $158,100 Bed o’ Roses Handicap (G2) on Saturday at Aqueduct.

Trained by Gary Contessa since December, the versatile Vicar filly won the Distaff Handicap (G2) on March 22 and with the Bed o’ Roses win earned her third straight stakes victory in her four most recent starts.

Cowgirls Don’t’ Cry sprinted to a clear early lead as Rite Moment stalked from her outside, 1 1/2 lengths back, through opening quarter in :22.71. Rite Moment soon engaged Cowgirls Don’t Cry and the pair dueled through a half-mile in :45.72 and continued their battle rounding the turn where Rite Moment held command by a head.

Rite Moment powered clear nearing the furlong marker and won by 1 1/4 lengths under hand urging from Rajiv Maragh while covering seven furlongs in 1:22.66 on a fast track.

Lady Marlboro saved ground early, swung four wide at the quarter pole, and finished well for second. Cowgirls Don’t Cry hung on for third, 2 1/2 lengths back.

Golden Dawn, the even-money favorite, chased from four wide into midstretch but could get no closer than fourth.

Rite Moment has been victorious this season at distances from six furlongs to one mile and 70 yards while racing exclusively at Aqueduct on surfaces of various conditions. She earned her fifth win in six starts in 2008, with a close runner-up finish in the Correction Handicap in February the only blemish on her record this year

“I really don’t know what I've got here,” said Contessa, who trains Rite Moment for Winning Move Stable, Seidman Stables, John Moirano, and Ravenwood Stable. “She has answered every question I’ve ever asked; short, long, middle distance.

“She’s got a heart of gold. I’m really thinking she needs a little break now. We’ve nominated her to everything, so we’ll see.”

Bred in Kentucky by Charles Nuckols Jr. and sons, Rite Moment improved to six wins in 12 career starts and increased her lifetime bankroll to $339,102. She is out of the Lost Code mare Moments of Joy.