Gaviola extended her winning streak to four yesterday as she drew off to win the Grade 3 $111,300 Sands Point Stakes by 41/4 lengths over Shopping for Love at Belmont. It was another 2½ lengths back to Millie’s Quest in third.
Ridden by Jerry Bailey and trained by Billy Turner, Gaviola won her second stakes this season, having been victorious in the Herecomesthebride Stakes at Gulfstream in March. She ran the mile-and-an-eighth on the inner turf in 1:47 3-5 and paid $3.40 to win.
As for her future, “Our long-term goal is the Lake Placid [Grade 2, $150,000, nine furlongs on turf at Saratoga, August 21],” Turner said.
1st RACE – Flint River set the pace while being pushed early by Tre Seven. On the turn it looked like Flint River would pull away from the field and go on to an easy victory, but then he pulled up suddenly and was eased in the stretch. Tre Seven inherited the lead but could not hold off Glacier Point for the victory. Flint River was vanned off with a suspensory problem.
2nd RACE – American Century was caught in tight at the start when Pattons Top Gun and Brittanic bore out. American Century then steadied again before making a four-wide move on the turn to reach contention. He continued his momentum in the stretch but could not catch pacesetting Silent Predator for the victory.
3rd RACE – Gander surprisingly was not made the favorite in his return to New York, despite dropping back to allowance company and Jerry Bailey returning to ride. Gander raced outside early while stalking the pace, but then when entering the far turn, Gander started to fall back from the rest of the field. By the time the field reached the stretch, Gander was done. Bailey wrapped up on him and eased him through the stretch. Liberty Gold was sent off as the favorite and pressed the pace-setter Puncher. But then Fire King, who rated off the pace, angled outside and swept by the tiring pacesetters under a hand ride and drew away for the victory.
6th RACE – Favored Johnny Legit stalked the early pace set by Felarof while racing three- wide and started to move up for the lead on the far turn. Ancient Dancer was caught four-wide but went along with the favorite when he made his move. At the top of the stretch, Johnny Legit was nose and nose with Felarof but could not get by the stubborn pacesetter. Shock Value, who trailed the field early, angled outside for the stretch drive and ran down the tiring pacesetters to go on for the victory. Felarof was able to put away Johnny Legit and hold on for the place spot.
9th RACE – Expected Takeover set a fast pace, with Not So Wacky chasing in second. Nearing the stretch, Expected Takeover was tiring and Not So Wacky took over the lead but was tiring from chasing the fast pace. Camford trailed the field early but then made a wide move on the turn to reach contention. He took over the lead in the stretch and drew away for the victory. Native Guide, a first-time gelding, closed well to finish second at 95-1.
YESTERDAY’S CLAIMS
4th RACE – Alf ($35,000) by Mike Miceli; Mark de Triomphe ($35,000) by Richard Dutrow Jr.
5th RACE – Premier Krischief ($40,000) by Robert Klesaris.
9th RACE – Not So Wacky ($14,000) by Neal Terracciano; Camford ($14,000) by Faustino Ramos; Expected Takeover ($14,000) by Dennis Brida.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 1-5-11-4-5-1
No winners
20 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $723.00
Carryover $43,413.75