Poor Stewart Elliott. Winner of last year’s Kentucky Derby on Smarty Jones and rider of this year’s top candidate Rockport Harbor, “Stu Who” continues to be dogged by assault committed five years ago.
Elliott’s 2001 felony conviction for drunken brawl in 2000, which came to light during last year’s Triple Crown, bit him again Tuesday when he was jailed by federal immigration authorities in Pennsylvania. Elliott, a Canadian citizen, was held under Patriot Act provision subjecting convicted felons who are not U.S. citizens to deportation.
Elliott, who authorities admitted was in U.S. legally, popped up on Homeland Security radar when he flew back from Hong Kong International Jockey Challenge last December. Hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, and when Elliott drove down from New York to attend, he was detained. He was released yesterday and is expected to ride today, according to his agent, Joe Rosen.
2ND RACE – In opener, Time to Rap, 2-5 favorite under Mike Luzzi (subbing for Elliott), outsprinted Quayle for lead down backside, drew off. This heat looked like carbon copy as 4-5 Wild Geese, confidently handled by Rich Migliore, went to front early, opened up top of stretch; but in final furlong, 1-for-15 Mr. Presley, making first start since April for Scott Everett with hot-riding apprentice Channing Hill up, dug in with determination seldom seen before in his career, got up to nail favorite in final jump; first of several winners on day to come from well off pace in deep stretch.
3RD RACE – Mr. Sword, stepping up level off 9 1/2-length blowout at Laurel, and Tani Maru, back down with allowance company after racing in Count Fleet and Whirlaway stakes, were both 7-5 in four-horse field. While Mr. Sword ran to his odds, going last to first with quick move around far turn, Tani Maru quickly bottomed out after half-hearted move on turn, finished far back in fourth.
5TH RACE – Two Hollys went to front under Norberto Arroyo, pressed to her outside by Alicita My Love, Shaun Bridgmohan up, who gunned past Two Hollys down backside to open daylight lead. Two Hollys got back into gear, re-entered fray turning for home. My Names Nicole rallied wide under Rafael Bejarano, while Miss Splash, getting typical rail-hugging ride from Pablo Fragoso, was bottled up inside with no room to run. Down stretch, hole finally opened. Miss Splash came roaring through to run down My Names Nicole nearing wire.
8TH RACE – Feds cost Stewey another winner. Merger of Equals, surprising 22-1 despite solid fourth-place finish in last, with Arroyo inheriting mount in Elliott’s absence, dueled for early lead along rail, gained command top of lane, held on to guarantee pick 6 carryover.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 1-1-6-3-3-8
No winners
2 consolation (5 of 6) winners each receives $5,944
Carryover: $35,668.
