Does any racehorse have more heart than Diligent Gambler? In eighth-race feature yesterday at Aqueduct, a 46G allowance at mile-and-sixteenth, “Gambler,” a 4-year-old gray, with Jean-Luc Samyn riding, tracked early pace set by Saratoga Jules, was bumped hard and forced to steady leaving backside. He advanced back into contention around far turn, kicked into gear final furlong rallying with Monocular to his outside, dug in gamely in tight quarters between horses as Saratoga Jules drifted out, surged to get neck in front, continued on with determination to wire.
The victory was second in three starts this year for colt who went 9-for-15 in 2004 and has finished in money 18-of-21 starts despite racing with inoperable knee chip. He’s 5-for-9 since being claimed by Leah Gyarmati last summer for 35G.
2ND RACE – You knew Here’s Zealous had problems when Rick Dutrow dropped former stakes-class sprinter in for 25G tag last October. Nevertheless, 8-year-old rattled off four straight daylight scores until luck finally ran out here. Favored at 6-5, taking slight step up to 50G after being claimed last out for 45G by Dom Galluscio from Bob Klesaris, he was four-wide down backside dueling for lead under Mike Luzzi, forged to front entering turn, but was collared top of stretch by Unswept, faded through lane, barely held fourth; Peter Kazzamias claimed him.
5TH RACE – Rodeo Roulette, after going off at 35-1, 52-1 and 48-1 her first three starts, was hammered to 3-1 off last race in which she showed early foot, finished fourth. She dashed off to daylight lead under Fernando Jara, chased by first-time starter Buckridge NY City. She set pace to deep stretch, fought back gamely when Buckridge NY City, Mike Luzzi up, challenged for lead, hung in for third. Princess Jasmine, 0-for-10 with troubled trips last pair, settled in well off pace under Arroyo, rallied outside around turn, was up late to break maiden. Beautiness, Dennis Rojas up, loomed boldly while getting good view of parking lot she was so wide around turn, couldn’t sustain bid.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 5-4-2-1a-5-2
124 winners; each receives $1,254
1,526 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $26
No carryover
