Trainer Mark Hennig sent out a promising 2-year-old debut winner in race 3 at Aqueduct on Wednesday while chillin' on vacation in Aruba.
Bourbon War, a $410,000 weanling purchase out of the Conquest Stables dispersal at the 2016 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, moved up three wide on the far turn of the one-mile maiden race and then pulled away to score by about 2 1/2 lengths under Rajiv Maragh.
Owned by Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stable, Bourbon War is a son of Tapit and the first foal out of My Conquestadory, who won the Grade 1 Alcibiades over Polytrack at Keeneland and Grade 2 Summer Stakes on turf at Woodbine.
Bourbon War paid $37.20. Henning, who is active on Twitter, is taking a short island vacation.
Moretti overcame a tricky trip in his debut to be second and could easily win next time out for Todd Pletcher.
Sent off at 5-2, Moretti took up a stalking position from post 1, then dropped back nearing the half-mile pole while racing inside horses. He was put to a left-handed whip by John Velazquez on the far turn before regaining his momentum in upper stretch. He finished well and was about three lengths clear of the third-place finisher.
Moretti races for Repole Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who bought him for $900,000 at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. He is by Medaglia d'Oro and out of the Concerto mare Rigoletta, winner of the Grade 1 Oak Leaf Stakes.
Moretti is a half-brother to Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Battle of Midway.