Hwin delivered a stunning performance in Friday’s $135.000 East View Stakes, prevailing in a dramatic finish to capture the seven-furlong test for three-year-old New York-bred fillies at Aqueduct. The chestnut filly by Cherokee Hunter entered the race with minimal experience, having won just two previous starts including an impressive allowance victory at Sunland Park in early January where she posted a career-best 96 speed figure. Racing for owner Spb Racing with Reylu Gutierrez in the saddle, Hwin demonstrated tremendous courage and determination, stalking the pace before engaging in a furious stretch duel that saw her prevail by a neck at the wire on a fast main track. The triumph marked her third consecutive victory and established her as a legitimate contender in the New York-Bred filly division, validating connections’ decision to step her up to stakes company after being purchased for just $5.000 at auction in mid-December.

Flow & Calls

As the gates opened for the East View Stakes, Chicken Queen broke alertly to establish early positioning through an opening quarter mile in :23 seconds. The Parx Futurity Filly runner-up showed excellent gate speed as Lezcano sent her to the front. Spicy Lilah settled into second position under Cedeno’s handling, tracking the leader from close range. Hwin broke well and raced in third under Gutierrez’s confident handling, maintaining perfect striking position. Dame Magnifique, carrying 124 pounds due to her stakes victories, settled into mid-pack, while Sherbini raced in the second division. Yankeewood found herself toward the back of the field in the early stages, with And We Danced also settling into the second flight. Boardwalk Peach raced in mid-pack, while Sinister Date brought up the rear.

Through the half mile in :46.3 seconds, Chicken Queen continued to show the way under Lezcano, setting honest fractions while maintaining her advantage. Spicy Lilah remained in closest pursuit, tracking the leader from second position and applying pressure. Hwin held third, racing within striking distance of the front-runners under Gutierrez’s patient handling. And We Danced began to improve her position from the second flight, moving up steadily. Dame Magnifique maintained her position in mid-pack under the 124-pound impost, while Sherbini stayed within range of the leaders. Boardwalk Peach held her position in the second division, and Yankeewood started to advance from the back of the field. Sinister Date continued to trail the field through the middle stages.

Approaching the stretch after six furlongs in 1:10.3 seconds, the race developed into a thrilling battle for supremacy as multiple fillies launched their bids. Chicken Queen maintained a narrow advantage as Lezcano asked her for her best effort, but the challengers were closing rapidly. Spicy Lilah moved up boldly to challenge from second, engaging the leader in a fierce duel. Hwin loomed ominously from third, moving up with a powerful run under Gutierrez’s urging. And We Danced advanced strongly from the second flight, launching her rally. Dame Magnifique looked to improve her position, while Sherbini stayed within striking distance. Boardwalk Peach made steady progress, and Yankeewood continued her rally from the back of the field. Sinister Date found herself outrun by the front-runners.

In the final furlong, Hwin displayed tremendous courage under Gutierrez’s confident handling, surging alongside the leaders and engaging in a dramatic stretch duel. Chicken Queen fought back gamely on the lead, refusing to surrender as Lezcano urged her onward. Spicy Lilah battled tenaciously between rivals, making her own bid for victory. And We Danced closed powerfully from off the pace, joining the furious battle. In a thrilling four-way photo finish, Hwin prevailed by a neck over And We Danced, with Chicken Queen finishing another neck back in third. Spicy Lilah battled courageously to finish fourth. Sherbini stayed on well for fifth. Boardwalk Peach completed her rally to finish sixth. Yankeewood finished seventh after her late rally. Dame Magnifique, the high weight carrying 124 pounds, finished eighth. Sinister Date stopped badly to finish ninth.

Each Runner Mentioned

Hwin delivered a career-defining performance, demonstrating tremendous courage and a powerful finishing kick to capture the East View Stakes in a thrilling photo finish. The chestnut filly by Cherokee Hunter out of Jaco was bred by Keikowin Racing in New York and is owned by Spb Racing after being purchased for $5.000 at auction in mid-December. With lifetime earnings now standing at $103.800 from three career starts that include three consecutive victories, Hwin has established herself as one of the top New York-Bred three-year-old fillies in training despite her limited racing experience. Her pedigree combines the versatility of Cherokee Hunter with solid stamina influences in her female family, creating a talented runner capable of competing at the highest levels of New York-Bred competition. Her proven effectiveness at seven furlongs with consecutive victories and impressive speed figures makes her an intriguing prospect as the New York-Bred stakes season continues, and her bargain purchase price makes her success all the more remarkable.

And We Danced ran an excellent race in defeat, closing powerfully from off the pace to finish second by half a length. Her effort confirmed her progression through the ranks and suggests continued success at the stakes level.

Chicken Queen battled courageously on the lead, finishing third by another neck after setting the pace and fighting back gamely in the stretch drive.

Spicy Lilah ran a solid race in fourth after pressing the pace throughout, showing heart in the stretch battle before tiring slightly in the final stages.

Sherbini stayed on for fifth after racing in mid-pack throughout, gaining valuable stakes experience in her first attempt at this level.

Boardwalk Peach completed a respectable rally to finish sixth, demonstrating improvement after her recent disappointing efforts.

Yankeewood finished seventh after her late rally from the back of the field, unable to reach the leaders in time despite her closing effort.

Dame Magnifique endured a disappointing eighth-place finish as the high weight carrying 124 pounds, her effort raising questions about the weight penalty and surface switch.

Sinister Date suffered a dismal ninth-place finish, stopping badly after racing at the back of the field throughout and finishing well beaten by the leaders.

Track: Fast
Time: :23  :46³  1:10³  1:22³

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 7 Paid 24.30
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 7 – 1 Paid 95.90

Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded