With five racing days left in the meet, Jerry Bailey has a commanding lead in the jockey standings, despite missing days due to other commitments and a bout with kidney stones.
Bailey has 61 victories in only 154 mounts, giving him an outstanding winning percentage of 39.6. His in-the-money percentage in an astronomical 73.4 Jorge Chavez is second in the standings with 51 victories. Edgar Prado is next with 43. Apprentice Norberto Arroyo Jr and John Velazquez round out the top five with 40 and 39 wins, respectively.
The battle for the training title will come down to the wire. Bill Mott is the present leader with 20 wins, but hot on his heels is Todd Pletcher with 19.
1st RACE – There was no rain in the area and the track was listed as good for the start of the racing day. Cox’s Sweep was last early but slowly moved up through the field while saving ground. Nearing the top of the stretch he was angling out to find clear run. He split horses and drew away for the victory. Favored Johnny Legit saved ground throughout but never threatened the leaders at any point in the race.
3rd RACE – Again a jockey won the race by taking advantage of the rest of the field avoiding the rail while he got a rail trip. This time it was Jorge Chavez on Smoke Signal. He saved ground early while rating off the pace. At the top of the stretch, Chavez angled Smoke Signal outside and split horses to gain the lead to go on for the victory. Saraston and Pitch both had wide trips and flattened out badly in the stretch drive.
4th RACE – Jerry Bailey continued his masterful riding as he gave Tempest Fugit a great ride to get the victory. Tempest Fugit rated off the pace while saving ground early. He angled outside on the far turn but then saw a hole opening up on the rail, so Bailey angled him back inside. At the top of the stretch Tempest Fugit got through on the rail and went on for the victory. Soldotna checked badly on the far turn when trying to start a rally. He angled outside for clear run and finished well.
6th RACE – Texas Glitter set the pace with moderate fractions and was not pressured by anyone. At the top of the stretch he started to pull away from the field. But Chasin’ Wimmin started his run on the outside and nipped Texas Glitter at the wire for the victory. It’s obvious that Texas Glitter is not the same horse as he showed early in his three-year-old campaign because there was no reason for him to get caught in the stretch drive of this race.
7th RACE – Bailey was saving ground again while rating off the pace, this time with Native Tribe. Nearing the top of the stretch, Bailey tried to go through a narrow opening between the rail and pacesetting Hail the Hero. At the top of the stretch Hail the Hero bumped hard with Native Tribe a couple of times. The two raced down the stretch with Hail the Hero holding off Native Tribe for the victory. There was a stewards’ inquiry about the bumping at the top of the stretch, but after a review the stewards’ found no reason for a disqualification.
YESTERDAY’S CLAIMS
1st RACE – Speedlimitsixty ($25,000) by Juan Serey.
3rd RACE – Copelan Too ($14,000) by Neil Terracciano.
7th RACE – Jubarsky ($30,000) by Richard Dutrow Jr; Crown Thy Good ($25,000) by John Dunn; Love Sedona ($25,000) by Lisa Lewis.
9th RACE – First Rodeo ($30,000) by Pat Reynolds; Diggy ($35,000) by Juan Serey; Stalwart Member ($35,000) by Richard Dutrow Jr.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 4-3-12-1-4-5
10 winners; each receives $5,155.00
216 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $79.50
No carryover
