That was an intriguing, winning comeback for Vino Rosso in the just completed Stymie at Aqueduct.

Yes, Vino Rosso won his prior two starts at Aqueduct, including last year's Wood Memorial, so he might be a lover of the track. And granted, that wasn't the strongest field ever assembled that Vino Rosso bested in the Stymie.

Still, Vino Rosso, who was making his first start since finishing fifth in last summer's Travers, showed surprisingly improved early foot today. He had become something of an early laggard as his 3-year-old season progressed, but in the Stymie, Vino Rosso was close to early fractions of 23.34 seconds and 45.93.

Vino Rosso also seemed last year to be a colt who had trouble maintaining focus. But if he has matured this year at 4 and indeed has the capability to be more involved early in his races, he could be an interesting addition to an Older Dirt Male division that can use all the help it can get.