After putting in a pair of strong finishes his last two races at Aqueduct only to fall short at the wire, Esteemed Friend finally put it all together in yesterday’s 60G Paumonok Handicap, digging in down the stretch under Mike Luzzi to catch 2-1 favorite Say Florida Sandy in the final 70 yards, winning by a length and a quarter after six furlongs in a very sharp 1:09.3.

Trained by Joe Imperio, the 5-year-old gelding by champion sprinter Gulch paid $10.60.

Say Florida Sandy, all dressed up with nowhere to go behind a wall of horses at the top of the stretch, finally got through to take the lead with a furlong to run and was dead-game finishing second to complete a $29 exacta.

There was a cavalry charge for the early lead as King Ruckus and Able Red slugged it our through a first quarter-mile in :22.3 and a half in :45.3. Esteemed Friend, tucked in behind the leaders, saved ground around the turn, found a hole turning for home and shot through to victory.

”He got a perfect trip,” Imperio said. ”He followed the 1 (Say Florida Sand) and took advantage of an opening.”