Chalky Just Beat The Odds Seizes Elite Power Stakes At Aqueduct

[Wandering Eyes]

Just Beat the Odds (Munnings) was the shortest price on the tote in the now-renamed GIII Elite Power Stakes at the Big A on Saturday. The chalk did not disappoint his backers as he won his first stakes race for owner Donna Wright.

An incredibly consistent performer dating back to his 3-year-old year, Just Beat the Odds has only finished off the board once over his 12-race career. Earlier this season after being gelded, the dark bay demolished an optional claiming field by six lengths in Ozone Park in early March and just missed at the next level over the local course a month later.

Coming off the bench here, the favorite wrestled for the lead and came away with a slim margin up the backstretch. The 5-year-old was challenged to the outside by Acoustic Ave (Maclean's Music) and the pair started a battle that would last to the top of the lane. Just Beat the Odds clearly had more to give and he sailed home to take the prize with room to spare.

“We felt that we were the speed of the speed, but we felt Linda [Rice] would send the three [No. 3, Acoustic Ave]–it was kind of obvious, she would probably send him since her other horse [No. 1, El Grande O] does close,” said trainer Gregg Sacco. “We left it up to Manny [Franco] but our instructions were to take it to him, and he was ready to roll, but we left the rest up to Manny if he wanted to let the three go. He wanted to keep his position and things turned out [well] for us.

“The gelding has been a huge part of it,” he said. “He's had some nagging little setbacks and he's just a super talented horse. I'd like to string some races together with him now. Will [son and assistant, Sacco] and our staff here in New York did a great job; Bruce Jackson did a great job at Fair Hill with his rehab–he's a really fun horse and we're very happy to have him in the barn.

“We always thought he had the talent and he needed to be gelded probably as a 2-year-old, but he was nicely bred–the late Steve Brunetti [Red Oak Stable] bred him and it was fitting that he was the last horse that he watched as an owner before he passed away [in April 2024],” Sacco added. “He called me from the hospital, and it was very touching as he and I were dear friends. He [Just Beat the Odds] had the potential early on and, as a gelding, he's just flourished. Everything has come together. He has many gears, and the good horses have the gears–when they come to you, they have the ability to take off. He's a cool horse and all the credit goes to my son and the staff in New York.”

 

Pedigree Notes:

The 31st graded stakes winner for Munnings (by Speightstown), Just Beat the Odds adds his name to a growing list of higher-level scorers for the Coolmore America stallion like Jack Christopher, El Deal, Howard Wolowitz and also Barkley, who is on the same Munnings-Medaglia d'Oro cross.

The winner is his dam's last registered foal of record. Bella d'Oro was sent to Stonesider Gold for 2026. Just Beat the Odds is part of an extended female family which includes GSW Keri Belle (Empire Maker) and MSW Carbonite (Aldebaran).

Saturday, Aqueduct
ELITE POWER S.-GIII, $242,500, Aqueduct, 12-6, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:09.99, ft.
1–JUST BEAT THE ODDS, 120, g, 5, by Munnings
                1st Dam: Bella d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro
                2nd Dam: Rangoon Belle, by Alysheba
                3rd Dam: Rangoon Ruby (Ire), by Sallust (GB)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Donna Wright; B-Red Oak Stable (KY); T-Gregory D. Sacco; J-Manuel Franco. $137,500. Lifetime Record: 13-5-6-1, $345,495. Werk  Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Acoustic Ave, 120, g, 5, Maclean's Music–Rock Ave. Road, by Street Boss. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($200,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-A. Bianco Holding Limited; B-Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman (NY); T-Linda Rice. $50,000.
3–St. Jude, 120, h, 6, Speightster–Aly Doll, by War Chant. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Jeremiah Kane (KY); T-Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr. $30,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.47, 6.22, 10.20.
Also Ran: El Grande O, Full Moon Madness. Scratched: Subrogate.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

JUST BEAT THE ODDS gets his first stakes win in the Grade 3 Elite Power Stakes under @jockeyfranco for trainer Gregg Sacco. pic.twitter.com/ldKrbmLhQH

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) December 6, 2025

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