Gary Stevens announced that he will be riding full time in England for Michael Stoute. He signed a one year contract with a provision that it could be extended for two more years.
Stevens will ride in England until November when the flat season ends. He will still travel to the U.S. to ride in major stakes for his regular clients. Stevens will also make this a homecoming for his wife Nikki, who was born in Britain but hasn’t been home in four years.
2ND RACE – Lake Lure acted up prior to the start of the race and fell to the ground. Both horse and jockey, Frank Lovato Jr., were OK and remained in the race. River Dyna broke bad but took advantage of tiring speed horses to win the race. Favored Weekend In Indy looked very uncomfortable on the offtrack and was eased during the stretch drive.
4TH RACE – Aaron Gryder rushed to the lead on Twotime, and Miss Thermal Tech was content to let her set the early pace. Twotime pulled away at the top of the stretch but started to tire. Carny’s Creek, last early, closed down the middle of the track and went by the early pacesetter for the victory. Miss Thermal Tech angled to the rail and was able to pass the tiring Twotime near the wire. Miss Blues Sweep saved ground but came up empty in the stretch drive.
5TH RACE – Pleasant Prince went out for the lead and never looked back on this off the turf event. First time starter Killer Joe made a good middle move but couldn’t get close to the leader. Switch back to turf with that move will make him an easy winner next time out. Monarch’s Blaze was slow from the gate, then moved up in the backstretch. He bumped with the tiring Green Fee prior to entering the far turn and did nothing afterward. One to watch with better racing luck next time.
6TH RACE – Fog started to come in after the fifth race and covered the track, but it lifted in time so we could watch the sixth. Highcat broke on top and never looked back as he won for the second time in as many local outings for Richard Schosberg. Final time of the race was a quick 1:09 3/5. Stakes winner Lucky Roberto was closing well in the stretch but was no match for the winner.
7TH RACE – Hedge Ratio set the early pace and was alone on the lead for most of the race. Colonial Heights chased but couldn’t make up ground on the early leader. With Hollandaise came from far back and, despite running on the wrong lead, was able to catch the early pacesetter and win for fun.
8TH RACE – In midstretch, Wised Up was full of run but a hole that had existed had closed up, forcing him to check hard and almost unseat Mike Luzzi. The jockey kept his composure and angled Wised Up to the outside and came on again to defeat N B Forrest by a head.
PICK SIXWinning numbers: 4-6-10-3-3-4Winners each receives $16,621Consolation (5 of 6) winnerseach receives $207.50No carryover.
