Keith McCalmont

At Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday, a maiden stakes title was secured by Hold Your Breath for Main Line Racing Stable and Avalon Racing Stables, as she controlled the Garland of Roses—three quarters of a mile for fillies and mares three and up—valued at one hundred fifty thousand dollars. For instance, the lead was not surrendered at any stage.

Guidance from John Servis and Hall of Famer Joel Rosario was on display, as the 3‑year‑old McKinzie filly entered off a November 12 Parx Racing optional‑claimer in which she crushed elders by about nine and three‑quarter lengths, earning a personal‑best Beyer of 87. Having reverted to dirt after five tries on turf or all‑weather, she’s two‑for‑two; for example, each success came with authority.

Drawn widest in post 7, control was seized immediately, and the opening quarter went in 22 and 93 hundredths on a fast strip, with With the Angels—sent off at roughly three‑to‑two—tracking from the second flight. As a neutral example, an outside gate can require extra early speed to clear.

Pressure from With the Angels intensified around the bend while Sunday Girl launched a sweeping, wide bid; the half‑mile was posted in 46.07, and at the top of the lane Hold Your Breath clung to a narrow head lead. For clarity, the move came before the eighth pole, not after.

Down the stretch, With the Angels, partnered by Flavien Prat, could not reel her in, and extra kick from Hold Your Breath opened daylight late to score by two lengths in 1 minute, 9.76 seconds. In the official race results, With the Angels filled the runner‑up spot by three and one‑quarter lengths ahead of Patricia Ann, with Sunday Girl next, then Volleyballprincess, Tricky Temper, and The Big Calhouna to complete the order; Reliable Lady was a scratch. As an example of spacing, the top pair finished clearly separated from the rest.

Rosario: Hold Your Breath blasted away from the stalls after three earlier stakes tries produced no placings

“From the outside draw we sat ideally, and she bounded out sharply,” Rosario said. “She traveled beautifully, found another gear, and stayed with me the whole way. There looked to be other speed, yet she’s genuinely quick. She jumped, wanted to roll on, liked being prominent, and I mainly stayed out of her path while she carried me; that felt great.” For example, “outside” referred to the outermost gate.

With the Angels, a New York‑bred sophomore from the Linda Rice barn, began her career with five straight wins, three coming in state‑restricted stakes. She wheeled back on short rest into the Garland of Roses after tasting her first defeat here on November 28, finishing second to Roswell in a six‑and‑a‑half‑furlong optional claimer versus elders; as a neutral example, such quick returns are a common handicapping talking point.

Prat: With the Angels enjoyed a smooth, stalking passage throughout

“The flow suited me and I saved ground with a clean trip,” Prat offered. “Turning for home I thought I might go past, but she—Hold Your Breath—kept finding enough to keep going. My filly ran a strong race.” For example, that home turn is where riders often angle out for a run.

Win number four went onto Hold Your Breath’s résumé; she broke her maiden at first asking last November at Parx and later, in June at Saratoga Race Course, she added an optional claimer on turf. As an illustration, those victories came on different surfaces.

Out of the Midnight Lute mare Illicit Affair, Hold Your Breath is a half‑sister to multiple stakes‑placed My Sweet Affair, and her second dam is Silverbulletday, a Hall of Famer. For example, Silverbulletday is enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Bred in Kentucky by Highclere Inc., Constance Wickes, and Rocky Top Racing, Hold Your Breath banked eighty‑two thousand five hundred dollars for the win and now shows nine starts with four victories and zeros for seconds and thirds. A two‑dollar win ticket returned $8.08. Racing at the Big A picks back up Wednesday with an eight‑race program; first post is 12:40 p.m. ET. For example, midweek cards often start early in the afternoon.

America’s Day at the Races will deliver live programming and expert commentary on the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet across the FOX Sports networks. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit the schedule page. As an example, the guide helps viewers locate the correct channel.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform for Aqueduct Racetrack and is promoted as the best way to bet each race of the fall meet. Available nationwide to horseplayers, the NYRA Bets app can be downloaded today on iOS and Android and supports pari‑mutuel play. For instance, bettors can fund accounts and place wagers from a mobile device.