With a $195,841 two-day carryover up for grabs at Aqueduct yesterday, bettors dumped another $773,932 into the pool. Four lucky on-track fans and 13 off-track each cashed $36,067 for nailing all six.
*The New York Turf Writers Association announced its award winners for 1998, to be presented at the annual NYTWA dinner-dance at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs Aug. 23.
The Woody Stephens Award for outstanding trainer of the year in New York will be split between John Kimmel and Todd Pletcher. Outstanding owner goes to Barry K. Schwartz, with Frank Stronach named outstanding breeder.
Jorge Chavez won the Eddie Arcaro Award for top jockey. Skip Away gets the Secretariat Award for New York’s horse of the year and his trainer and owner, Sonny Hine and his wife Carolyn, will receive the John A. Morris Award as the people who did the most for racing.
The C.V. Whitney Award for special achievement last year goes to trainer Michael Dickinson for winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile with Da Hoss. Pletcher gets the Fourstadave Award for special achievement at Saratoga, where he was leading trainer. The Red Smith “Good Guy” Award will be presented to former jockey and racing official Bill Boland, who recently retired after a long career on the racetrack.
*Julio Pezua has been suspended 10 days by the stewards for careless riding in the first race Sunday. He’s been granted a stay on appeal.
1ST RACE – Be an Aris went to the lead out of the gate, dropped back to second as 8-5 favorite Krystal Celerity came up the rail to set pace around turn. At top of lane Be an Aris regained the lead under Phil Teator and drew clear. Krystal Celerity couldn’t hold off late run of Timeless River for place.
2ND RACE – Even-money choice Miss Blues Sweep, from Team Kimmel-Migliore, tucked inside behind battling leaders, swung out to center of track in stretch and kicked clear. Carny’s Creek set pace under pressure from Sentimentalromance, stayed on gamely for place. Stormy Nation trailed early, tried to rally wide.
3RD RACE – First-time-for-tag Redhead Hunter, half of even-money entry with Axis Time, was last early, saved ground every step of way under Ariel Smith, swung out to center of track midstretch and drew off under confident handling. The Whistler tracked the pace outside, rallied for second. Buckando dueled on lead down backstretch with Axis Time, opened up turning for home, held show.
4TH RACE – Even-money Love Spiel sat back off pacesetting Siskel early, ralled wide turn to take lead as Joe Bravo went to whip early, looked in trouble midstretch while drifting out but proved best under strong handling. Siskel opened three lengths around first turn and down backside, dropped back to third in stretch but came again for place. Asap had perfect inside trip, loomed boldly to take lead top of stretch but hung.
5TH RACE – Silver Foil went up to challenge Rejoice by Choice for lead down backstretch, saved ground every step, looked beaten midstretch but found another gear and prevailed with Heberto Castillo up. Doctor Cat made big move outside on turn, was coming hard at end to just miss. Mr Smartypants, 6-5 fave, tracked pace, split horses turning for home, poked head in front midstretch but was outfinished.
6TH RACE – The expected three-horse speed duel never developed as Yodelman, the longest shot on the board at 9-1, opened an easy lead around first turn, waltzed through slow splits of :24 and :47.2, turned back a brief challenge from Testimonial far turn and cruised home giving Ariel Smith his second win of day. Outamyway Sir showed early speed, dropped back far turn, came again for place. Select Session trailed early, put in good run but flattened out.
7TH RACE – Matt’s Appeal, sent up along the inside by C.C. Lopez to duel with Bob’s Glitter, put him away while saving ground, repulsed a bid by Glockenspiel on the turn, went the half in a blazing :44.4 but had plenty left in stretch. Glockenspiel held place in photo over Bookmobile. Favored Brian’s Dancer rallied.
8TH RACE – Pirateontheloose tracked pace on outside, rallied wide turn and was up final jumps to nail favored Luvinbilly on the wire under well-judged ride by Frank Lovato. Luvinbilly alternated on early lead with Tough Hombre, took command in stretch but couldn’t last.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 1-4-7-4-3-8 17 winners each receives $36,067 464 consolation (5 of 6) winnersearch receives $312.50No carryover.