In a emotional finish at Aqueduct, Be Your Best, owned by Michael J. Ryan, clinched her first graded stakes victory in the Long Island Stakes.
The Irish-bred filly, ridden by Frankie Dettori and trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., delivered an impressive, well-paced performance in this 1 3/8-mile Grade 3 turf race for fillies and mares. Offtrack betting fans watched as her strategic lead held strong, showcasing her tenacity and the skillful planning of her connections.
Dettori’s Perfectly Timed Ride
Making her first start under Joseph, Be Your Best displayed impressive composure on Aqueduct’s inner turf. Previously under trainer Horacio De Paz, she had consistently placed in graded events, including two Grade 1s, but hadn’t yet secured a graded win. She entered Sunday’s race following a sixth-place finish in the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2) in California, ready for a fresh start with a new trainer.
Breaking from post 7, Dettori positioned Be Your Best at the head of the field, setting a measured pace with fractions of 24.23, 49.06, and 1:14.65, keeping her rhythm strong and consistent.
As the race reached its final stretch, Saratoga betting favorite No Show Sammy Jo, ridden by Flavien Prat, surged forward with powerful strides, closing in rapidly. In a nail-biting photo finish, Be Your Best held her lead by a nose, clocking in at 2:14.36. Immensitude closed strongly as well, securing third.
A Significant Milestone for Be Your Best
The win was a major achievement for Be Your Best, who had yet to secure a graded title despite her successes at the listed level. Bred by Ryan’s St. Croix Bloodstock, she earned $165,000 for her victory, pushing her career record to three wins from 16 starts.
Her previous win was at the P.G. Johnson Stakes as a juvenile at Saratoga, and with Sunday’s performance, she returned a rewarding $21.80 payout for those tracking horse racing odds.
Looking forward, Be Your Best has proven her potential for future graded events in the horse racing schedule. Her tenacity and skill on Aqueduct’s turf mark her as an up-and-coming talent with the versatility and drive needed for continued success in high-stakes races.
