SARATOGA SPRINGS – Track was fast, and after taking Sunday off they were back on turf, labeled firm. Meet’s three leading riders carved up card as Cornelio Velasquez (26 winners) swept early double, Edgar Prado (35) added pair, and Garrett Gomez (32) notched three-bagger, giving him 10 winners in last four days.

THIRD RACE: In $70,000 Saratoga Dew, cagey veteran Garrett Gomez gave hotshot apprentice Julien Leparoux some lessons in race-riding. When speed horse Cayuga’s Waters, 2-1 under Leparoux, stumbled at break from post 1, Gomez gunned 4-5 favorite Judy Soda to front, angling over to rail, putting Cayuga’s Waters in tight quarters, forcing Leparoux to take hold of filly, who resented being held and was tossing head in air around clubhouse turn, down backside while in behind Judy Soda. Down stretch, Leparoux found narrow hole between Judy Soda and pace-presser Shady Lane, tried to split them, but just as quickly Gomez slammed door shut. Judy Soda prevailed by less than length, with Cayuga’s Waters settling for tough-trip third.

SEVENTH RACE: Play Ballado, returning vs. allowance company for first start since finishing up-track in Gr. 1 Santa Margarita last March, was pounded to 1-2 off slow but steady series of breezes. Someone thought she was ready, and she was, looming boldly outside to take lead heading into turn, kicking clear to lengthy score.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 6-5-6-7-9-10

11 winners each paid $6,344

545 cons. (5 of 6) winners each paid $42.60

No carryover