Being at least some 15 lengths back after a "bunny hop" break normally is a race you'd draw a line through. But Essential Quality's two-year-old son, Aye Eye, surprised even race caller Frank Mirahmadi in his first to last finish in a maiden special weight event at Saratoga on August 8, to give his sire another first-crop winner.
👀 #1 AYE EYE ($55.00) launches in the stretch under the urging of @jjcjockey earning a debut victory at Saratoga. Joe Orseno trains the 2YO son of @DarleyAmerica's Essential Quality. Congratulations to owner Robert Cotran.
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 8, 2025
💵 Bet Saratoga with @FanDuel. https://t.co/HXVZkWaRsl pic.twitter.com/9XVIHAYLmU
Bred by Betz Thoroughbreds/DJ Stables/Graves/Gainesway/Lamantia/Ramsby in Kentucky, Aye Eye is out of multiple Listed winner Divine Queen, she a half to Medaglia d'Oro's Listed winner/G3-placed daughter Queen's Award (dam of G3-placed Alta's Award) and also a half to the dam of G2 Fayette Stakes winner The Player.
This is the second winner from Essential Quality's first crop with Chopsticks having won on debut at Churchill Downs in June.
