A parade of longshots took first four legs of Pick 6 (Toot Ta Roo, $74.50; Dr. Isom, $54.50; Star Halo, $24; Sydsational, $96.50), resulting in unusual consolation payout to tickets listing just three of six winners.
3RD RACE – Limero, 3-2 under Eibar Coa, went to front around clubhouse turn. Hydrogen, 4-5 favorite with Norberto Arroyo up, ranged up to set pace, pressed by Limero to far turn, when Hydrogen opened daylight while still in hand, chased around far turn by Lethimthinkhesboss, 8-1 under Ramon Dominguez. Mid-stretch, Hydrogen looked home free, but under aggressive handling Lethimthinkhesboss dug in down final furlong, cut into Hydrogen’s lead with every stride, collared him near wire, prevailed by well-measured nose.
4TH RACE – In field of eight N.Y.-breds racing for 25G maiden claiming tag, Real American Pie went to front under Joel Sone, then Lion Song, with Eibar Coa up, hooked him down backside. They were soon joined by Bridget’s Guardian shooting through along rail under Rudy Rodriguez to trigger three-way speed duel into far turn, with 3-2 favorite Delbert Shmeckles tracking them outside in perfect striking position under Ramon Dominguez. Turning for home, Lion Song took lead, cut corner, while Delbert Shmeckles, who threw shoe in paddock and had to be reshod before race, began to lug in, backed up to finish fourth. Stage was set for Toot Ta Roo, 36-1 under Emilio Rodriquez, to spring first big upset of day. First-time starter from Joe Aquilino barn that was 0-for-35 at winter meet, Toot Ta Roo, debuting off series of steady works dating back to November, got perfect trip tucking inside behind speed duel down backside and around turn, swung out mid-stretch, rallied to lead deep stretch.
5TH RACE – Another of those improbable form reversals we’ve grown accustomed to at this meet. Dr. Isom, who broke maiden gate to wire by 10 lengths three races back over inner dirt but in two starts since then tired badly to be beaten 20, 28 lengths, was 26-1 with apprentice Kyle Kaenel replacing Jose Santos in irons; dashed to front, opened daylight, forgot to stop.
6TH RACE – Sydsational, one of only two runners in N.Y.-bred optional claimer entered for 25G claiming tag, was good enough last summer to go off 2-1 in N.Y. Oaks at Finger Lakes for trainer Eddie Barker; here, she was 47-1 with Fernando Jara taking reins from appentice Pablo Morales, rallied to lead deep stretch to score by length.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 7-2-8-5-4-2
No winners
92 consolation (3 of 6) winners
each receives $118
Carryover: $32,660.89