Zifi delivered a dominant performance in Saturday’s $500.000 NY Stallion Series Fifth Avenue Stakes at Aqueduct, controlling the pace from start to finish to capture the seven-furlong State Bred stakes for two-year-old fillies foaled in New York under Paco Lopez for Mb Stables. The bay filly posted a final time of 1:24.73 over a muddy track, earning her third career victory from seven starts. Sent off as the betting favorite, Zifi demonstrated her class and tactical speed while confirming her status as the top New York-Bred juvenile filly with a decisive victory in this prestigious event, adding to her earlier triumph in the Maid of the Mist Stakes.
Flow & Calls
As the gates opened for the Fifth Avenue Stakes, Zifi broke alertly from post four to establish position in fourth through the opening quarter mile in :23.1. Southfork, breaking from the rail, settled into fifth under Curtis. Diana occupied third in the early stages, while Be Royal raced in seventh. Real Tactics settled into sixth position, with Iconic Moment in eighth. Synth broke from post three and occupied second, while Goal Scorer brought up the rear in seventh as the field completed the opening quarter over the muddy surface.
Through the half-mile marker reached in :47.1, Zifi had improved her position dramatically, moving up to first and taking command of the race. Southfork had advanced significantly, moving from fifth to fourth. Diana continued from third, staying within striking distance of the leader. Be Royal had moved up to fourth from her earlier position. Real Tactics advanced to sixth, improving steadily. Iconic Moment raced in eighth, while Synth dropped back to second after her earlier position. Goal Scorer remained at the back in seventh.
As the field reached the six-furlong marker in 1:11.4, Zifi continued to show the way on the front end, maintaining her advantage over her rivals. Southfork had moved into fifth position, continuing her forward progress. Diana occupied third, positioning herself for a stretch run. Be Royal had advanced to fifth, staying in contention. Real Tactics moved up to seventh, while Iconic Moment continued from eighth. Synth raced in second, tracking the leader. Goal Scorer remained at the back in eighth.
In the final furlong, Zifi responded gamely to all challenges, digging in determinedly under Lopez’s urging. The leader maintained her advantage through the stretch, drawing clear to secure the victory. Southfork finished with excellent determination to claim second after making up ground throughout the race. Diana held on well to secure third after racing in contention from the outset. Be Royal finished fourth after her steady advance, while Real Tactics completed the top five. Iconic Moment finished sixth, followed by Synth in seventh and Goal Scorer completing the order in eighth. The winner crossed the finish line two lengths in front of the runner-up.
Each Runner Mentioned
Zifi settled into fourth through the opening quarter in :23.1, improved to first at the half-mile marker in :47.1, continued to show the way at six furlongs in 1:11.4, and held off all challengers to win by two lengths in a final time of 1:24.73 for her third career victory.
Southfork raced in fifth through the opening quarter, advanced to fourth at the half-mile marker, moved up to fifth at the six-furlong call, and rallied strongly in the stretch to claim second, beaten two lengths in just her second career start.
Diana occupied third position through the opening quarter, maintained third at the half-mile marker, held third at the six-furlong call, and stayed on well to secure third after racing prominently throughout.
Be Royal settled into seventh through the opening quarter, moved up to fourth at the half-mile marker, advanced to fifth at the six-furlong call, and finished fourth after making steady progress throughout the race.
Real Tactics raced in sixth through the opening quarter, maintained sixth at the half-mile marker, moved up to seventh at the six-furlong call, and held on for fifth place.
Iconic Moment occupied eighth position through the opening quarter, maintained eighth at the half-mile marker, continued from eighth at the six-furlong call, and finished sixth.
Synth broke well to secure second position through the opening quarter, dropped to second at the half-mile marker, raced in second at the six-furlong call, but faded in the stretch to finish seventh.
Goal Scorer raced at the back in seventh through the opening quarter, maintained seventh at the half-mile marker, remained in eighth at the six-furlong call, and finished eighth, never able to threaten.
Winner’s Profile & What’s Next
Zifi, a bay filly by Zionist out of My Fiona, was bred by La Canada Racehorses and is owned by Mb Stables in New York. The victory pushes her lifetime earnings to $482.600 with three wins from seven career starts. Having proven her superiority among New York-bred juvenile fillies with victories in both the Maid of the Mist Stakes and Fifth Avenue Stakes, Zifi has established herself as the clear leader of her division heading into the winter months. Connections could target additional New York-Bred stakes as a three-year-old or potentially venture beyond State Bred restrictions to test open company, with possibilities including unrestricted stakes at Aqueduct or other major tracks as they plot her three-year-old campaign for 2026.
Track: Muddy
Time: :231 :471 1:114 1:243
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 4 – 1 Paid 33.70
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 1 – 5 Paid 1,275.00
Scratched: Golden Warrior
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded