January 18 - Although trainer Karl Grusmark was hoping to smash his New York winter season losing streak with Yet Again in Sunday's $65,000 Affectionately Stakes at Aqueduct Racecourse, it was not to be as overwhelming favourite, Tidal Dance, romped home first in the 1 1/16 mile race.

The race, which was open to fillies and mares three-years-old and upwards, was a pretty muddy affair, but ultimately proved no match to 9/5 shot Tidal Wave. From the start, the five-year-old mare - ridden by Ramon Dominguez - settled into third place not far behind pacesetter, Yes She's a Lady.

Setting fast fractions, Yes She's a Lady was chased by All Night Labor in second place with Tidal Dance still comfortably in third. But coming into the far turn, Dominguez asked Tidal Dance for more and she responded with a burst of speed that saw her pass All Night Labor to take second place.

But she didn't stop there as by about the quarter pole she pushed on to overtake Yes She's a Lady and continued galloping towards the line. In fact, she did not let up until she crossed the line 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Pumpkin Shell, who meanwhile had slipped into second, and Yes She's a Lady in third.

All Night Labor, meanwhile, crossed the line in fifth place behind Saxet Heights in fourth, but ahead of last year's Affectionately Stakes winner, Yet Again, in sixth place, to the chagrin of her beleaguered trainer. Owned by Marc Ferrell, Tidal Dance completed the race in a time of 1:46.64 and paid $4.70.

Thrilled at the result was Ramon Dominguez. 'I was happy with where we were early in the race, ?he said. 'It actually set up exactly the way I thought it would. She took the lead a little earlier than I wanted to, but she was doing it easily. I saw Pumpkin Shell making a run at me, but knew we were home safe.'

The Affectionately Stakes was Tidal Dance's first win from four races for trainer Mike Hushion. Earlier in her career she spent time in south Florida before a spell in Southern California. The daughter of Pleasant Tap, Tidal Dance came off a second place in the recent Snit Stakes at Aqueduct Racecourse.