Just Beat the Odds clinches Grade 3 Elite Power at Aqueduct Racetrack in a six-furlong dash

Just Beat the Odds, credit: NYRA photo team.

Christian Abdo

At Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday, Donna Wright’s Just Beat the Odds scored his first victory at the graded level by taking the Grade 3 Elite Power, a quarter-million-dollar event for ages three and older. The sprint covered three-quarters of a mile, and the field included seasoned runners; for example, older pace-pressers returned off brief freshenings.

Conditioned by Gregg Sacco, the Munnings-sired dark bay was cut before starting this five-year-old campaign and returned from a little more than seven months on the shelf following a neck loss in an April optional claimer at the same trip and strip. Despite both the layoff and the rise in class, bettors made Just Beat the Odds about 7–5 at post, and that faith was rewarded with his eighth straight finish in the exacta, a notable form-cycle marker.

“Making him a gelding turned out to be pivotal,” Sacco said, noting the horse had dealt with minor hiccups but owns abundant ability. “Now I want to link races together for him,” he added, while praising his son and assistant, Will, for getting Just Beat the Odds tight in New York, and acknowledging Bruce Jackson at Fair Hill for the rehab work; the horse, he said, is a blast around the barn and the whole team is thrilled.

With Manny Franco up, Just Beat the Odds acted a touch anxious in the gate but broke alertly from post 4, then rapidly went past the sharp-beginning Acoustic Ave inside of him. As Just Beat the Odds cleared, Jose Lezcano eased Acoustic Ave briefly, yet that rival sat right there, only a head back while the opening quarter was carved out in 22 and 46 hundredths on a fast surface—for instance, a brisk early pace scenario.

“He came back ready from the break, and Gregg had him dialed in,” Franco explained. “The idea was to make the top, so I put him there,” he said, pointing to a prior front-running six and one-half furlong win here that yielded a career-high 103 on the Beyer Speed Figure scale.

Nearing the turn, Acoustic Ave edged to the outside of Just Beat the Odds, sparring through the bend and even poking his head in front for a few strides. However, after being headed, Just Beat the Odds reclaimed the advantage and kept a narrow margin as the half went in 45 and 64 hundredths.

Staying tight to the fence into the lane, Just Beat the Odds inched away from Acoustic Ave and still led by about half a length at the stretch marker. St. Jude launched a bid from mid-course, though that runner faced a sizeable deficit behind the dueling Just Beat the Odds and the persistent Acoustic Ave up front; for example, he still had several lengths to bridge.

Asked for his best in the final sixteenth, Just Beat the Odds drew off to prevail by two and three-quarter lengths over Acoustic Ave, stopping the clock in 1:09.99. St. Jude checked in another length back in third, El Grande O completed the superfecta, and Full Moon Madness followed them home; Subrogate was a late scratch.

A race replay video occupied this spot in the original post to provide context for viewers.

“He’s become more grown-up and more businesslike,” Franco said, describing Just Beat the Odds as a quality sprinter and expressing gratitude for the mount and for collecting a graded win with him. The rider also noted it was his second victory on the program, a nice boost for the connections.

Just Beat the Odds, produced from Bella d’Oro—a winning daughter of Medaglia d’Oro—was bred in Kentucky by Red Oak Stable. Steve Brunetti of Red Oak Stable passed in April 2024, and Sacco recalled that earlier that month at Tampa Bay Downs, Just Beat the Odds captured an optional claimer for Red Oak Stable.

“Steve Brunetti bred him, and it felt fitting that this was the last horse he watched as an owner,” Sacco said, remembering a heartfelt phone call from the hospital because they were close friends. “He showed promise early, and as a gelding he’s blossomed—everything has aligned. He’s got multiple gears, and good horses can quicken when it’s time; when one comes to him, he can re-break. He’s a cool horse, and credit belongs to my son and the New York staff,” Sacco added.

Lezcano said Acoustic Ave fought on gamely to earn a placing in his first graded attempt. Trained by Linda Rice, Acoustic Ave and stablemate El Grande O—both New York-breds—stepped up to face open company, a meaningful class test.

“He gave me a strong effort, and he always runs well for Linda,” Lezcano remarked. “The other horse kept finding more—he’s a really nice horse. My horse tried hard and had a clean trip; the winner simply kept going,” he said.

For the win, Just Beat the Odds banked one hundred thirty-seven thousand five hundred dollars and moved his slate to thirteen starts with five wins, six seconds, and one third, while paying $4.94 on a $2 ticket.

Sunday at the Big A features eight races, headlined by the Grade 3 $200,000 Comely (Race 7) and the $150,000 Garland of Roses (Race 6); first post is 12:40 p.m. ET

America’s Day at the Races will air live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet on the FOX Sports networks; check the broadcast grid and channel finder at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/. For instance, viewers can confirm their regional channel on the morning of the card.

NYRA Bets serves as the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack and offers nationwide access; the app can be downloaded for iOS and Android at , making it simple for bettors to play every race during the meet.