SARATOGA SPRINGS – Aqueduct North! Once upon a time at Old Spa, you could safely bet against horses showing 0-for-20, 1-for-21 records. No more. In fifth race, 3-year-old filly Karakorum Ella, winless in 16 starts, gunned to front under Kent Desormeaux, drew off like Ruffian. Wednesday, 5-year-old gelding Bold Love broke maiden in 22nd start. Other winners at meet include Stag Dancer, 0-for-18; Herbert T, 1-for-15; Storm N Lightning, 1-for-17, who took yesterday’s finale.

Edgar Prado, with two winners yesterday, is beginning to open daylight in jockey standings with 23 winners, but field behind him is tightly bunched, with only four wins separating Eibar Coa and John Velazquez (18 each), Rafael Bejarano and Cornelio Velasquez (17), Garrett Gomez (16) and Javier Castellano (14).

THIRD RACE: Nerinx, second last out this level in fast-run six furlongs at Monmouth, was stretching back out to seven furlongs, distance he won at two back, and money showed big time as he was pounded late to 8-5. Board-watchers went to windows as Nerinx, Velasquez up, tracked pace set by Symmetron under pressure from August Song, took command final furlong.

FOURTH RACE: There’s been epidemic at this meet of horses getting loose at gate, scratched. Here, it was first-time starter Huge City, 1A coupled with Hercules, stronger half of Linda Rice entry favored at 8-5 at time of scratch. Hercules then ran for purse money only, with all Pick 6 bets on entry shifted to Elusive Fox, 6-5 after scratch. Earlier in meet, much complaining ensued under similar circumstances when Carnera, stronger half of entry running for purse money only, won, but Pick 6 bets went to post-time favorite, who was off board. This time, however, Pick 6 bettors got lucky, as Elusive Fox, shipping in off series of sharp works at Monmouth for Dennis Manning, led gate to wire under Eibar Coa, drawing off as much best, while Hercules, after chasing pace, faded to third.

Defrereoftheheart, West Point Stable 2-year-old that Post reader Scott Byrne owns 10 percent share in after winning Post contest held during Triple Crown, was fourth in debut, missing show by nose.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 10-2-9-10-5-3

3 winners each receives $88,514

158 cons. (5 of 6) winners each receives $404

No carryover