Patrick Husbands, winner of the Sovereign Award as Canada’s top rider this year, broke an 0-for-12 streak over the inner dirt track taking the third race on Rich Down for trainer Gary Contessa. It was Husbands’ first winner ever in New York.
“It gets a little pressure off myself, my agent and the trainers who ride me,” said Husbands, a 26-year-old native of Jamaica who’s spending his first winter at the Big A. “I keep my head up and focus on goals, and every rider in North American would like to get going here.
1ST RACE — Speed-rail bias showed up immediately, almost carrying Cellular Joe home to front-running score at 37-1, but he was run down late by Sargeant Street, Aaron Gryder up, who hugged the fence around turn while tracking pace, then swung out in stretch.
3RD RACE — Donald’s Tomorrow, 10-1, rushed up rail to take lead down backside, dueled with 4-1 winner Rich Down to midstretch, easily held second. Endgame, 2-1 favorite, went against grain of bias rallying wide for third under Joe Bravo.
4TH RACE — Gryder did masterful job gunning 2-1 second choice Country Only from post 12 to lead along fence into first turn, never looked back. Prime Pine made big move into contention along inside down backstretch, loomed boldly three wide on turn, had to settle for second. Big EE, 6-5 favorite, pressed pace while wide, held third. Haseen unseated Frank Lovato Jr. in gate, was reloaded, didn’t do much running.
5TH RACE — Radiance, Jose Beitia up, shot up rail from gate, pressured pace set by Little Champ to his outside, took over while saving ground on turn, won easily. Jaye’s Hope pressed pace while three wide turn under Bravo, continued on for place. Little Champ held third as closers had no impact on outcome.
6TH RACE — Finally, a horse wins from off the pace on the outside as 2-1 second choice Lorie Darlin rallied wide far turn under Bravo, ran down pacesetters Indemnify, French Madam in deep stretch. French Madam had bias in her favor but still lost; was sent up along inside to duel with Indemnify, took lead turning for home but wasn’t able to shake loose, blew photo for place as 8-5 favorite.
7TH RACE — Another rail-skimming, front-running romp for Gryder (his third of four yesterday) aboard 2-1 David, classy New York-bred who’d never won going 11/8 miles before and was making first start since Saratoga for good layoff trainer Mike Hushion. Carry My Colors chased pace along inside from start, was easily second over longshot Tickle Me Red, who made bold move while very wide far turn. Rushing Brush showed good early foot at 38-1. Sixth Man spotted field dozen lengths at break.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 4-10-3-7-4-1
8 winners each receives $19,564
194 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $214
No carryover.