Rash of weird spills at winter meet continued in yesterday’s fourth race when 9-5 favorite A Song for Hope, after chasing pace very wide around turn, was backing up deep stretch under Antonio Vega when he suddenly dropped in his tracks, in roughly same spot inside sixteenth pole Gonna Be Love (see first race, below), who also was favored, inexplicably fell in last Thursday’s seventh race.

Of two trailing horses, Soldier of Rome, Nick Santagata up, was able to hurdle over fallen horse, but Stevie Ray Gone, under C.C. Lopez, crashed into A Song for Hope and also went down. As with five horses who fell previously since inner dirt track opened, at first it appeared A Song for Hope broke down, but like others, he jumped up and jogged off, as did Stevie Ray Gone. Lopez walked off under own power, but Vega was strapped into stretcher, taken from track in ambulance; both were sent to North Shore Hospital for precautionary X-rays. Lopez, who just returned to saddle last Saturday after being out with broken thumb and rib suffered in spill here Nov. 25, has possible fractured wrist.

Stewards, befuddled by number of falling horses, plan to talk to vets, track super for possible causes; fatigue, lower quality of horses during winter are likely explanations. Still, it’s unprecedented development.

* Eibar Coa opened daylight lead in jockeys’ standings with five-bagger aboard Thunder’s Comin ($4.10), Saint Jules ($3.90), Lightning Stripes ($17), Toy Thief ($4.50) and Gold Gunner ($4.20). Nice handicapping job by his agent, Matt Muzikar.

FIRST RACE: One of best angles in racing is betting first horse ridden by jockey coming back from injury. Here, Pablo Fragoso was aboard 9-5 favorite Just Gabi, his first mount back since getting banged up when Gonna Be Love went down Thursday. Just Gabi went right to front under snug hold along rail, opened daylight chased by Excellent Charisma and Marquet Rate, drew off when asked.

SECOND RACE: Marquette Warrior went to front under Mike Luzzi, pressed by Thunder’s Comin, Eibar Coa up, to his inside. Those two dueled head-to-head around turn, with Thunder’s Comin kicking clear mid-stretch. Down final furlong, Bold Love came flying under Ramon Dominguez, looked as if he’d go right by, but hung like cheap suit as Thunder’s Comin dug in to give Coa first winner on card.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 2-7-1-9-2-4

2 winners (6 of 6) each paid $11,898

Consolation (5 of 6) winners each paid $283

No carryover