While the eyes of the racing world were on Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup, there was still graded stakes action on the east coast, with three events at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York. 5,095 fans were in attendance on a sunny Saturday afternoon with temperatures in the low 50's.
The $150,000 Red Smith Handicap (G2) featured a field of 7 older horses going 1 3/8 miles around three turns of the Aqueduct turf course. 2007 Arlington Million winner Jambalaya was sent off as the 7-4 favorite exiting a 2-length allowance win off a 2-year layoff. In to challenge him included 9-5 second choice Grand Couturier, fourth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last out after winning the Bowling Green, and 4-1 third choice Operation Red Dawn, winner of the Knickerbocker in his last start.
Operation Red Dawn was sent to the lead soon after the start and he set slow fractions of 25.99, 51.66, and 1:18.33 while as many as 2 lengths in front of 34-1 Wheels Up At Noon who stalked him in second. Turning for home, Wheels Up At Noon poked his head in front through 1 mile in 1:43.16, but he soon tired badly to eventually finish last. 93-1 longest shot Mr. Universo, who sat in midpack third the whole way, also moved up to challenge for the lead in mid-stretch through 1 1/4 miles in 2:07.08, but the race set up for the closers. 13-1 Expansion followed Grand Couturier three wide into the stretch, and after passing Grand Couturier, drew off late to win by 1 1/4 length in 2:18.93 over the firm turf course. It was just a head back to 9-2 Spice Route third, a nose to Mr. Universo fourth, and another neck to favorite Jambalaya fifth, completing the four horse photo for second place.
