3RD RACE – Every once in a while there will be a performance on the inner track that just leaves you breathless. Favored Lovely Isle, coming off a maiden victory in her career debut on Halloween for trainer Gary Contessa, opened eyes and took away everyone’s breath with her performance in this starter allowance race. She broke sharply and set solid fractions of :22.38 and :45.48 under Ramon Dominguez. Entering the stretch she was widening her lead while under cruise control. With Dominguez doing his patented look back three times in the stretch while under wraps routine, Lovely Isle drew off to a 16½ length victory. The two-year-old filly by Double Honor ran the six furlongs in 1:09.65. In comparision, in the Xtra Heat Stakes for two year old fillies five races later, winner Throbbin Heart ran the same distance in 1:11.47. The phone is probably ringing non-stop in the Contessa barn this morning with offers to buy this talented filly.
4TH RACE – Apprentice Kyle Branch won his first race since returning to New York and since breaking his hand in June at Monmouth with a gate to wire maiden victory aboard favored B Ls Fire Worden for Roy Sedlacek.
8TH RACE – Throbbin Heart stalked the pace and then drew away in the stretch to finish first in the Xtra Heat Stakes. CC Lopez aboard second place finisher Dill Or No Dill claimed foul against the winner for interference in midstretch. Throbbin Heart did lug in while racing on the wrong lead and Dill Or No Dill did check when the running lane on the rail narrowed, but the stewards correctly decided not to take any action on the winner.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 5-9-4-2-8-6
71 winners each receives $2,092
1153 winners (5 of 6) each receives $33
No carryover.