FIRST RACE – Heavyweight tried to bear out going into the far turn but couldn’t since Manitou was to his outside. They brushed slightly, then Manitou broke down and sent Joe Rocco Jr. hard to the ground. Diggy tried to hurdle the fallen jock but his front legs made contact with him. Picardie also made contact with Rocco. Champagne Winner, despite running last early and being far from the rest of the field, somehow lost jockey Phil Teator. No one was able to see how he came off the horse or catch it on any replays. Heavyweight had lead in the stretch but this time started to bear out bad and let All Said come through on inside. Rocco was sent to North Shore Hospital complaining of back and ankle pain. Manitou had a fractured left cannon bone and was euthanized. Champagne Winner and Teator were OK.
3RD RACE – Rose Esther propped up when the gate opened, almost unseating jockey Aaron Gryder and spotting the field a few lengths. Run Alexis Run, 22-1, saved ground then swung outside entering the stretch. She bumped favored Smooth Blues twice before pulling away for an apparent victory. There was a steward’s inquiry but no action was taken.
4TH RACE – Maneuvered bore out slightly at the start, bothering Silver Magistrate. Then Silver Magistrate was stuck behind the early leaders going around the far turn and seemed intimidated. He then found a hole between horses and closed well, but Exiled Groom had clear sailing on the outside and won easily.
5TH RACE – Teator came back from the first race spill to ride Capitress. Obviously he didn’t lose any nerve because he split horses in the stretch to win going away. Another scratch in the paddock for wrong shoes with Hy’s Elaine. That is twice in two days that has happened.
7TH RACE – Bettors were out of luck when Studdly Stavros refused when the gates opened. No refunds or consolations because horse did this on his own, not because of any mechanical problems or human intervention.
9TH RACE – Silk Broker bore in slightly coming out of the gate and bumped with Good Man Sam. He then ran evenly the rest of the race. Doesn’t look like the Derby contender that he was hyped up to be in Florida. Lauren’s Lad was moving well on the rail during the stretch drive. He lost momentum when he ran up behind the tiring Jaded Money, but still managed to get around him to get up for second.
PICK SIXWinning numbers: 2-4-6-3-5-1No winners31 consolation (5 of 6) winnerseach receives $503Carryover: 46,824.18.