The $135.000 Runyon Stakes takes place at Aqueduct on Friday, February 7, 2026, presenting a seven-furlong test on the main dirt track for three-year-old colts and geldings foaled in New York. As one of the important developmental stakes events for New York-bred males, this race has a storied history dating back to 2004. Among connections with previous success, D J C Racing Stables has won one edition (2020), while Jose Lezcano has won this race three times (2020, 2021, 2024) and seeks to add a fourth victory to his tally. The race has attracted a competitive field of nine talented three-year-old New York-bred colts and geldings; each seeking to add their names to this prestigious list of winners and establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the New York-bred male division.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

Resurgent represents D J C Racing Stables with Shaun Civaci (10/1 odds) in the irons. This gray three-year-old colt by Lea has won one of four career starts while earning $53.000, posting his best speed figure of 94. His most recent outing on January 17 at Tampa Bay Downs saw him finish fourth in the $125.000 Lecomte Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, carrying 122 pounds. Prior to that on December 20, he finished tenth in the $100.000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds at 1 1/16 miles. Earlier on November 7, he won a New York-Bred maiden special weight at Aqueduct at 6 1/2 furlongs by a neck. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet six-furlong work in 1:11.1 at Tampa Bay Downs on January 7. While he’s shown some ability with his maiden victory, his disappointing recent efforts at route distances suggest the cutback to seven furlongs could help, though his modest speed figures raise questions about competing with proven stakes winners.

Apokalips represents Arindel with Kevin Coa (7/1 odds) guiding this gray three-year-old gelding by The Godfather. With one win and two seconds from four career starts and earnings of $32.400, he enters off a victory on January 3 at Gulfstream Park at six furlongs by one length in maiden claiming company, carrying 121 pounds. He was gelded on January 3 and was claimed from Family Racing for $25.000. Prior to that on December 4, he finished second by a neck at Gulfstream Park at 5 1/2 furlongs in maiden company. Earlier on November 10, he finished second by a nose at Finger Lakes at 5 1/2 furlongs in a New York-bred maiden special weight. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a five-furlong work in :58.1 at Aqueduct on February 4. While he’s shown improvement with consecutive runner-up finishes before his recent maiden victory, his complete lack of stakes experience and modest speed figures suggest he faces a significant challenge against proven stakes runners.

Pompeii represents Maxmillion Farm with Christian Cedeno (6/1 odds) aboard this black three-year-old gelding by Pope Dude. With one win and one third from five career starts and earnings of $59.840, he enters off a victory on December 27 in a New York-Bred maiden special weight at Aqueduct at six furlongs by one length, carrying 120 pounds. Prior to that on November 7, he finished eighth at Aqueduct at 6 1/2 furlongs in the same maiden special weight race won by Resurgent. He was gelded in mid-October. Earlier efforts include placings in New York-bred maiden special weights. His recent workouts show solid preparation, including a six-furlong work in 1:11.2 at Aqueduct on February 2. While he’s shown quality form with his recent maiden victory, his limited experience with just five career starts and lack of stakes experience suggest he faces a major challenge against proven runners.

Star American represents Grimley with Edwin Cancel (12/1 odds) riding this gray three-year-old gelding by Starship Rover. With one win from three career starts and earnings of $25.800, he enters off a victory on January 10 in a New York-bred maiden claiming race at Aqueduct at 6 1/2 furlongs by a nose on a good track, carrying 122 pounds. He was gelded in late July. Prior to that on July 20, he finished seventh in a New York-Bred maiden special weight at Saratoga. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a six-furlong work in 1:11 at Aqueduct on January 29. While he’s shown improvement with his recent maiden victory, his complete lack of stakes experience and limited racing background with just three career starts suggest he faces a significant challenge against more seasoned competitors.

Very Strange represents Axeman with Reylu Gutierrez (5/1 odds) guiding this black three-year-old gelding by Party Wagon. With one win and three seconds from six career starts and earnings of $90.600, he enters off a victory on January 16 in a New York-bred maiden special weight at Aqueduct at six furlongs by one length, carrying 122 pounds. Prior to that on November 14, he finished second by one length at Aqueduct at one mile in a New York-Bred maiden special weight. Earlier on September 26, he finished sixth at Aqueduct at 6 1/2 furlongs, and on August 21, he finished second in a New York-Bred maiden special weight at Saratoga. He was gelded in mid-July. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet six-furlong work in 1:11.1 at Woodbine on February 1. While he’s shown consistent form with multiple placings before his recent maiden victory, his lack of stakes experience and the significant step up in class raise questions about whether he’s ready for this assignment.

Mitchell represents Royalty Stables with Jose Vargas Jr. (2/1 odds) aboard this gray three-year-old colt by Conquest. With three wins from nine career starts and earnings of $275.600, he brings exceptional credentials to this assignment and carries 124 pounds due to his stakes victories. His most recent outing on January 17 at Fair Grounds saw him finish seventh in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, carrying 122 pounds. Prior to that on December 6, he finished fourth in the $500.000 New York-Bred New York Stallion Great White Way Stakes at Aqueduct at seven furlongs on a muddy track. Earlier on October 31, he finished ninth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar at five furlongs on turf, and on October 5, he won the $300.000 Indian Summer Stakes at Keeneland at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf by a nose. He also won an allowance race at Louisiana Downs. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a five-furlong work in :58.1 at Gulfstream Park on February 4. His proven stakes-winning form and graded stakes experience make him a serious threat, though his disappointing Lecomte Stakes effort and the two-pound weight penalty raise minor concerns.

Belgian Connection represents Nakamura Stables with K. Navarro (8/1 odds) riding this chestnut three-year-old gelding by Con Will Con. With two wins, one second, and one third from nine career starts and earnings of $39.400, he enters off a seventh-place finish on January 18 in the $100.000 All American Derby at Sunland Park at one mile, carrying 120 pounds. Prior to that on December 30, he finished second by one length in the $75.000 Parx Futurity Stakes at seven furlongs. Earlier on December 3, he won at Tampa Bay Downs at 6 1/2 furlongs by a nose in optional claiming company, and on November 19, he finished third at Canterbury Park. He was gelded in early November. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet seven-furlong work in 1:23.4 at Aqueduct on February 1. His proven effectiveness at seven furlongs with his Parx Futurity runner-up finish and recent optional claiming victory make him a legitimate threat, though his disappointing All American Derby effort raises questions about his current form.

Bank Robber represents Our Athletes with Jose Lezcano (3/1 odds) guiding this bay three-year-old gelding by Great State. With two wins and one third from three career starts and earnings of $65.280, he enters off a victory on January 8 in a New York-Bred allowance race at Aqueduct at 5 1/2 furlongs by one length, carrying 118 pounds and posting an impressive 98 speed figure. Prior to that on December 7, he won a New York-Bred maiden claiming race at Aqueduct at six furlongs on turf by three lengths. Earlier on October 13, he finished third at Finger Lakes. He was gelded in early July. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a one-mile work in 1:37 at Aqueduct on January 27. His impressive 98 speed figure in his recent allowance victory makes him a serious threat, and the partnership with three-time Runyon Stakes winner Lezcano adds significant appeal, though his limited experience with just three career starts raises minor questions.

Political Asylum represents Nakamura Stables with Eric Ellingwood (9/1 odds) completing the field for this bay three-year-old gelding by Good Charlie. With two wins, two seconds, and one third from six career starts and earnings of $37.460, he enters off a second-place finish on January 17 in the $125.000 Lecomte Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs at one mile, carrying 122 pounds. Prior to that on December 12, he won at Belterra Park at 5 1/2 furlongs by two lengths in allowance company, and on November 26, he won at Belterra Park at 6 1/2 furlongs by one length in allowance company. He was gelded in late August. His recent workouts show excellent preparation, including a bullet seven-furlong work in 1:23.3 at Houston on February 2. His proven effectiveness with consecutive allowance victories and competitive Lecomte Stakes runner-up finish make him a legitimate threat, though the cutback from one mile to seven furlongs raises minor questions about distance preferences.

Pace Scenario and Prediction

The pace structure should develop with Pompeii, Star American, and Very Strange likely battling for the early lead, all having demonstrated consistent gate speed and the ability to set or press the pace. Belgian Connection, Bank Robber, and Apokalips have shown tactical speed to stalk just behind the leaders, while Mitchell, Political Asylum, Resurgent, and potentially others will likely settle in mid-pack or come from off the pace before attempting their late rallies.

The projected winner is Bank Robber, who brings the best combination of brilliant speed figures, tactical versatility, and the partnership with three-time Runyon Stakes winner Jose Lezcano to this assignment. His impressive 98 speed figure in his recent allowance victory at Aqueduct represents the highest figure in this field, demonstrating his ability to handle quality competition with authority. While his limited experience with just three career starts raises minor questions, his rapid progression through the ranks and decisive victories suggest a talented runner on the improve. With Lezcano able to position him perfectly in stalking position before unleashing his powerful finishing kick, Bank Robber should have every opportunity to capture his first stakes victory and continue his winning streak. Mitchell appears the most dangerous threat with his proven stakes-winning form and graded stakes experience, though his disappointing Lecomte Stakes effort and two-pound weight penalty raise concerns about his current condition. Political Asylum could factor with his consecutive allowance victories and competitive Lecomte Stakes runner-up finish, while Belgian Connection, Very Strange, and Pompeii round out the contenders with varying degrees of probability in this competitive New York-Bred stakes event.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded