About the race. The Hudson is a 6½-furlong State-Bred sprint for New York-foaled 3-year-olds and up, run on the Aqueduct dirt for a purse of $200.000. With older horses carrying 124 lbs. (three-year-olds at 121), the race annually draws seasoned speed and hard-knocking closers. This year’s field of five features multiple recent winners and sharp works, promising a fast early tempo and a tight finish.
Horse-by-horse preview (with projected odds)
1. Warrior Of Peace (YME Stable) – Jockey: Jaramillo E — 4-1
A pace threat with genuine graded speed. He showed high speed in the Forego-G1 at 7f, flashing to the lead before fading late, and two back wired a salty 3+ allowance at Del Mar. Earlier this year he just missed at CD going 7f. His recent series of sharp 6f works signals he’s cranked. Drawn the rail, he projects to fire early and try to take them as far as he can at this slightly shorter trip.
2. Got Milk (D J C Racing Stables) – Jockey: Elliott S — 7-2
The 6-year-old veteran is as reliable as they come at this distance, exiting a nose defeat in the 6½f PRX Dash where he finished fast and earned top-tier numbers. He’s traded punches in tough open company all season and owns multiple competitive efforts at 6 to 6½ furlongs. Recent bullet-style works at AQU add confidence. Stalks the speed and gets first run—major win chance.
3. Morethan Meetsthe Is (Night Rider Stables) – Jockey: Carmouche K — 5-1
Versatile gelding who has kept graded company on both dirt and turf. Best recent sprint came in the Trip Be-G3 at 7f, where he rallied to be a narrow runner-up. Since then, he’s held his own in a mile stakes and cut back from routes with an allowance win in the spring. He typically sits mid-pack and finishes; with a contested pace, his late kick makes him a live board hitter with upset potential if the front softens.
4. Leary (Santan Stables) – Jockey: Lezcano J — 10-1
In form and adaptable, with two wins and a second from his last six, including a strong State-Bred 1 1/16-mile turf win at Saratoga and a sharp 6f State-Bred try at Finger Lakes earlier this year. He’s been mixing surfaces and distances, and his recent 6f AQU work hints at speed underneath. Class rise and the cutback into a heated sprint make him more of a late exotics player, but he’s not without a punch if the race melts.
5. Beach Boys (Delta Farms) – Jockey: Jimenez A — 3-1
Arrives in peak form: three wins and a second from five 2025 starts, including a last-out victory in a swift 6f optional at PRX and a prior nose defeat after pressing quick splits. His recent works at AQU scream readiness. Tactical speed is his weapon—he can attend the pace without overcommitting, then finish. Given the set-up and current form, he’s the most likely winner.
Pace picture & predicted outcome
Expect Warrior Of Peace to use the rail and send, with Beach Boys applying immediate pressure from the outside group. Got Milk should draft just behind them, poised to pounce turning for home. Morethan Meetsthe Is figures mid-pack waiting for a lane, while Leary looks to settle and grind late.
Pick to win: Beach Boys — his recent figures, razor-sharp works, and stalking versatility give him the edge in a pressured 6½f.
Next best: Got Milk (trip advantage tracking), then Warrior Of Peace (speed can stick for a share). Morethan Meetsthe Is and Leary round out the late threats if the early duel gets too hot.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded