Graded stakes winner Mucho Macho Man, making his first start since finishing seventh in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes in June, used front-running tactics to capture his comeback race, a $55,000 allowance/optional claiming event on Wednesday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Mucho Macho Man was quickest from the gate and led through fractions of 23.32 and 46.32 while receiving pressure from Southern Ridge. Ramon Dominguez gave Mucho Macho Man more rein on the far turn, and the 3-year-old son of Macho Uno steadily increased his advantage to the wire, defeating runner-up Gallant Fields by 5 ¾ lengths.

Off as the 7-5 favorite, Mucho Macho Man paid $4.90 and completed one mile in 1:34.72.

“We didn’t have an established plan; we were just kind of playing it by ear,” said Dominguez. “I wasn’t going to be surprised if both the four (Gallant Fields) and the five (Southern Ridge) would go for the lead, but he broke superb and made the lead very much within himself, very easy. He was just on cruise control; turning for home he switched leads right and just took off again.”

It was Mucho Macho Man’s first win since taking the Grade 2 Risen Star in February at the Fair Grounds. Following that race, he finished third in both the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and was sixth in the Grade 1 Preakness prior to the Belmont.

Kathy Ritvo, who trains Mucho Macho Man for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable, said she has not yet looked beyond Mucho Macho Man’s comeback race.

“He’s been training great, so I thought he would run well today,” said Ritvo. “I really didn’t expect anything – I just wanted to get a good race into him for a comeback. We definitely have some options, but we’ll wait to see how he comes out of the race and go from there.”

Mucho Macho Man now claims a win and two runner-up efforts at Aqueduct, having finished behind To Honor and Serve in both the Grade 2 Nashua and the Grade 2 Remsen a year ago. He has posted a record of 3-3-3 from 12 total starts and has earned $643,643.

Praetereo was third, followed home by Southern Ridge, More Than a Reason, and Silent Money.