It's been a tough start to the day at Aqueduct with odds-on favorites going up in flames in each of the first two races.

In the opener, 2-5 Purchasing Power was never a serious win threat before getting up in the final strides to salvage second in a photo.

Purchasing Power was dropping from allowance company to nonwinners-of-two $25,000 claiming company in the 1 1/8-mile race. He is trained by Chad Brown.

Malibu Strings won the race by open lengths and paid $11.80 as the second betting choice in the five-horse field. He was the 8-5 second choice on the morning line.

Malibu Strings is based at Belmont Park with trainer Mertkan Kantarmaci.

In race 2, the Mike Repole-owned entry of Big Guy Ian and Spartiatis finished second and fourth at 1-9. Both horses were taking significant class drops in the $10,000 claiming sprint.

Big Guy Ian, who is trained by Bruce Levine, had started for $16,000 last time out. Spartiatis, who is stabled with Chris Englehart, was claimed for $32,000 two starts back and had raced for $40,000 in his most recent start.

Alright Alright won the race in a photo over Big Guy Ian after pressing him the entire race. He is trained by John Toscano Jr. and paid $10.20 as the second choice.

The win was the first from nine United States starts for 10-pound apprentice Benjamin Herenandez, who went one for 47 in Puerto Rico.

On to the pick six, which begins in race 3 and has a $23,352 carryover.