Klaravich Stables’ Neural Network scored the first stakes victory of his career when he was elevated to victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Gander, a one-turn mile for New York-bred sophomores, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Bred by Milfer Farm, Neural Network is by Spendthrift Farm’s Grade 1 Preakness-winning stallion Cloud Computing, who was co-owned by Klaravich and trained by Brown. Neural Network banked $55,000 in victory and improved his lifetime record to 3-2-0-0. The $120,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale purchase from the Legacy Bloodstock consignment is out of the Street Cry mare Lapinski, who is a half-sister to stakes winner Sunset Wish. He returned $4.70 for a $2 win ticket as the post-time favorite.

Trained by four-time Eclipse Award-winner Chad Brown, Neural Network rallied from 2 1/2 lengths off the pace under Manny Franco to pounce on pacesetters D’ont Lose Cruz and Maker’s Candy in deep stretch before the latter drifted out in the late stages and crossed the wire first. Both a steward’s inquiry and an objection from Franco resulted in the disqualification of the Jose Gomez-piloted Maker’s Candy, awarding Neural Network the victory.

“He didn’t pass first in front of the wire, but I was bothered,” Franco said. “I was intimidated by the other horse. He carried me out. He [Gomez] was trying, but his horse was lugging out. He was doing his job and I was doing mine. I was taking care of my business. I feel I had to call and I think they made the right decision.”

-edited from www.nyra.com