The thoroughbred named after Artificial Intelligence was a long way behind the others at the start, but found another gear in the Saratoga stretch for jockey Javier Castellano
A horse called Aye Eye finished with a storming last-to-first run to snatch the spoils on debut at Saratoga.
The Joseph Orseno trainee seemed to have no chance when he completely blew the start in the Maiden Special Weight over six furlongs on Friday.
As all of his seven opponents broke sharply from the gates, jockey Javier Castellano could only look on as Aye Eye struggled to go the early gallop.
Escape Hall, one of the leading fancies, won the scrap for the lead as the runners motored towards the home turn.
Footage shared by the New York Racing Association showed how Robert Cotran-owned colt Aye Eye was not even in the picture at that point.
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“Aye Eye is well back,” said the commentator Frank Mirahmadi, with the 26-1 entrant seemingly having no chance at all.
But at the top of the stretch, Castellano’s red silks on the longshot were not quite so far behind, with around 12 lengths between the pair and front-runner Escape Hall.
After going a strong pace from the outset, the juvenile started to tire and Bod Beach took over with the winning post in sight.
However caller Mirahmadi was shocked as Aye Eye suddenly appeared on the scene and shot past for a cosy success by a length-and-a-half.
“On the inside, could that possibly be Aye Eye?” he said. “What an absolutely ridiculous rally to victory. Aye Eye, wow!”
Many racing fans were equally impressed and took to social media to share their thoughts in the incredible performance.
“He hit the side of the gate and was 19 lengths back after 1/4, 12 back after 1/2, 7 1/2 back at 1/8 pole and won going away,” wrote one.
A second person said: “Wow! That horse was running like he was late for dinner!! Well done!”
And a third added: “Look at em go!!!!”
Aye Eye’s win comes just days after Roger Varian-trained newcomer Raameee charged home in similar fashion in a race at Kempton Park.
Unlike the American horse, the juvenile was well-fancied, setting out as the 10-11 favourite in the Vronti Unibet Zero% Mission Novice Stakes on Wednesday.
“He’s a great big horse, very immature last year as a two-year-old and is only just getting going now,” said Varian. “He’s a great advert for being patient with a horse.”