2ND RACE – Towering Escape is promising 3-year-old N.Y.-bred filly by Giant’s Causeway out of half-sister to Affirmed Success. Off as 4-5 choice under Fernando Jara after finishing third first two starts, Towering Escape came through along rail to force pace set by Final Performance, moved up outside to take lead into turn, dueled around turn to midstretch with Make Us Happy, drew clear late.
3RD RACE – In field of five fillies and mares racing six furlongs for 49G purse, Pretty Imposing, 5-2 making first start since August for Frank Generazio with Alan Garcia up, broke on top, then Electrical Carlita quickly came through inside under apprentice Kyle Kaenel, and those two dueled down backside until Pretty Imposing began to pull away around turn. Grecian Wing took up chase under Pablo Fragoso, but Pretty Imposing was never threatened to wire.
4TH RACE – Teddy Hull, plunging from 50G to 16G maiden claimer off layoff, dashed to lead along rail under Norberto Arroyo Jr., but was quickly overtaken by Vicarish, Paglo Fragoso up, 26-1 dropping in for tag first time for Dave Donk, blinkers on, after being eased in Saratoga debut, then finishing 11th beaten 32 lengths in Dec. 18 return, both times at 50-1 vs. N.Y.-bred special weights. Vicarish opened daylight down backside, chased by 6-5 favorite Gimme That Wine, Eibar Coa up, dropping from 35G for Todd Pletcher. But Vicarish wasn’t stopping this time, and when K.O. Tobin, 10-1 for Gary Contessa with apprentice Pablo Morales up, made run at him down stretch, Vicarish kicked clear again to complete stunning form reversal.
7TH RACE – Well-judged ride by Mike Luzzi aboard Bahiye, 3-1 trying two turns first time after winning debut at six furlongs for Carlos Martin as 6-5 favorite. Breaking from post 1, Bahiye dueled around clubhouse turn with 6-5 favorite South Wing, Kyle Kaenel up, to his outside. Down backside, Luzzi sat chilly on Bahiye as South Wing opened daylight, began to edge back into contention around far turn, drew even with South Wing top of stretch, took command inside final furlong. South Wing got rubber-legged down stretch, still held second.
8TH RACE – Wild Gams, filly from Ben Perkins Jr. barn who sizzled :58.2 working from gate for first start since Nov. 4, tucked in behind four-way speed duel down backside under Eibar Coa, hugged rail as Coli Bear and 5-2 favorite Spenny slugged it out around turn, swung out to take aim at leaders, drew off deep stretch. Sarahisittrue, 11-1 at time, and Beautiful Racket, 75-1, both broke through gate before race, ran off, were scratched.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 9-2-12-2-2-9
No winners
11 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $1,078
Carryover: 35,580.39