NEW YORK (AP) -Haynesfield moved a step closer to a Triple Crown race, easily winning the $107,600 Whirlaway Stakes for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Aqueduct.
The victory was the fourth straight for the New York-bred chestnut colt trained by Steve Asmussen. Haynesfield has yet to meet top-level competition, but the 6 1/4-length win over Cellar Dweller suggests he is ready for more.
Haynesfield shot right to the front with Ramon Dominguez, who had five winners on the afternoon, aboard.
Turning for home, Haynesfield opened a huge lead and coasted to the wire with Dominguez glancing back for challengers who never materialized.
``The horse was much the best,'' Dominguez said.
Toby Sheets, the New York-based assistant to Asmussen, said the Gotham Stakes on March 7 at Aqueduct likely would be the next target.
The time was 1:44.48 for the 1 1-16 miles on the fast track as Haynesfield earned $64,560 for the Turtle Bird Stable.
Haynesfield, the 2-5 favorite, paid $2.90, $2.50 and $2.10. Cellar Dweller returned $6.80 and $4.40. Mike from Queens paid $3 to show.
Hehasnosay was fourth followed by Peace Town and Zooger.
The five wins by Dominguez, the Big A's leading jockey, was the most in New York since Cornelio Velasquez accomplished the feat on Nov. 1, 2007.
