Looking for the first graded win of his career, Cugino (Twirling Candy–Adorable Miss, by Kitten's Joy) lived up to his odds and checked a higher-level score off his list in the GII Red Smith Stakes at the Big A on Sunday.As the even-money choice here, Cugino tracked Common Defense (Karakontie {Jpn}) from the start and remained as a tracker through the far turn.Shaken loose by the hot-riding Flavien Prat, the 4-year-old went to work down the lane and got up to get the money. Common Defense was the runner-up.The final running time was 2:17.13.Lifetime Record: 13-6-4-0. Sales History: $225,000 '22 KEESEP.O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Jimmy Kahig LLC; B-Gage Hill Stables, LLC & W. S. Farish (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III.Flavien Prat gets his SIXTH win on the card in the Grade 2 Red Smith Stakes with CUGINO for trainer Shug McGaughey. pic.twitter.com/1XxkfayCBH— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) November 2, 2025Sunday, Belmont at the Big ARED SMITH S.-GII, $242,500, Belmont The Big A, 11-2, 3yo/up, 1 3/8mT, 2:17.13, fm.1–CUGINO, 124, c, 4, by Twirling Candy1st Dam: Adorable Miss (MSW, $162,590), by Kitten's Joy 2nd Dam: Money Huntress, by Mineshaft 3rd Dam: Favorite Funtime, by Seeking the Gold1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($225,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP).O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Jimmy Kahig LLC; B-GageHill Stables, LLC & W. S. Farish (KY); T-Claude R. McGaugheyIII; J-Flavien Prat. $137,500. Lifetime Record: 13-6-4-0,$761,410. *1/2 to Battle of Normandy (City of Light), GSW,$643,195; 1/2 to Veronica Greene (Tapit), SP, $195,500.Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Common Defense, 122, c, 4, Karakontie (Jpn)–Allusion, byStreet Cry (Ire). ($9,000 RNA Wlg '21 KEENOV). O-David A.Bernsen LLC, Tony Holmes, Michael Holmes, Leo Dooley,and Sarah Dooley; B-Tony Holmes, Norevale Farm & UnionDale (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $50,000.3–Desvio, 126, g, 4, Yoshida (Jpn)–Fitzrovia, by Uncle Mo.($60,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $70,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT). O-BonnieRye Stable and Stonelea Stable; B-Eliza St George & LeeMauberret (KY); T-Madison F. Meyers. $30,000.Margins: NO, 2, 2HF. Odds: 1.18, 4.92, 10.37.Also Ran: Fleetfoot (Ire), Limited Liability. Scratched: Dancin in Da'nile.Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Twirling Candy’s Cugino Earns First Graded Win In Red Smith At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.