Just 3,013 fans were at foggy, rain-soaked Aqueduct on Saturday afternoon for the $100,000 Stuyvesant Handicap (G3) for older horses going 1 1/8 miles on the main track. A field of 6 older horses faced the starter, with Solar Flare sent off as the lukewarm 2-1 choice exiting an allowance win at the Meadowlands after finishing third in the Delaware Owners' Day Handicap at Delaware Park. In to challenge him included 7-2 second choice Stud Muffin, winner of the Empire Classic for New York breds, and 4-1 third choice Dry Martini, fifth in the Knickerbocker Handicap in his last start.
Temporary Saint was sent to the lead immediately by jockey Eddie Castro, setting early fractions of 24.16 and 47.73 over the muddy, sealed surface while being stalked by Brilliant Son. Entering the far turn, Brilliant Son faded from contention allowing Temporary Saint to open up a 1 1/2 length advantage after 6f in 1:11.42. Temporary Saint led the field into the stretch, however Dry Martini, who was outrun for the first 3/4 mile, came out 4 wide for the drive. He swept past the rest of the field to take over in mid stretch after 1 mile in 1:37.33, and drew off late to win by 3 1/4 lengths over late-running Stud Muffin in 1:51.18 over the muddy, sealed track. It was another 3 3/4 lengths back to pacesetter Temporary Saint third, while favorite Solar Flare tracked the pace in fourth early but showed no rally late, fading in the stretch to finish last beaten 18 1/4 lengths.
