Afleet Alex added his eighth winner Saturday, Sept. 12th when his 2-year-old colt Quick Ride drew off to win a $43,000 maiden special weight race at Belmont. The win was a significant one, as it vaulted Afleet Alex to the top of the Freshman Sires List in North America with progeny earnings eclipsing $500,000 to date.

Quick Ride, a $120,000 yearling purchase at the 2008 Keeneland September sale, moved up to collar the leaders with a strong five-wide bid on the turn and drew clear to score by 2 ¼ lengths on the line. Over a sluggish and muddy local main track, the chestnut colt splashed home in 1:10.99 for six furlongs.

Nick Zito trains the colt for William Lawrence, who bought the colt a year ago at Keeneland. Quick Ride was a troubled fifth a month ago in his debut at Saratoga before returning to impressively break his maiden Saturday. He was bred in Kentucky by Brian O’Rourke & Derry Meeting Farm from the Tale of the Cat mare Baby Lets Cruise.

Afleet Alex is the sire of the top 2-year-old colt Dublin, who impressively won the Hopeful S. (G1) on Sept. 7th at Saratoga. He is also the sire of two other stakes horses to date.