Shug McGaughey, home from winless winter in Florida, after taking three races at Big A last Saturday including Gotham with Survivalist, looks to keep ball rolling with Daydreaming in today’s Grade 3, $100,000 Next Move Handicap for fillies and mares. Daydreaming, who won Top Flight here last November, faces unbeaten Holy Bull mare Saintliness.
* Track was sealed, sloppy yesterday, upgraded to muddy for fourth race. Good day to bet Pablo Fragoso, whose three winners included $24.80 Imprints in Gold and $29.80 Dashboard Drummer. Mike Hushion and Allen Iwinski both saddled pair of winners.
1ST RACE – Winter weather isn’t over yet, and neither is winter racing, judging by this plug-ugly field of 15G non-winners-of-two-lifetime claimers, which was combined 7-for-132, with 1-for-20 Western Blossom favored at 2-1. Show Hero, 1-for-15 after setting pace, blowing three-length lead in stretch last out, lugged out at break, bumping with Shoot the Wad, and was taken up by Jose Bermudez, dropped back to last. Show Hero, 4-year-old who appeared twice as big as any other filly in race, then rushed up rail into striking position down backside, rallied inside around turn, swung out, collared front-running Logical Art Form mid-stretch, drew clear.
2ND RACE – Looking for Glory, making first start since July, dashed off to open daylight lead down backside, was joined to his outside by Tour on Review and Matt Daddy entering turn. As others dropped back, Tour on Review surged to front, but 14-1 Skip the Melody, after circling field very wide around turn under Pedro Cotto, drove to lead down stretch.
3RD RACE – Pause for Thought rushed up along rail under Fernando Jara to open lead, was hooked by Watral’s Senor, Diane Nelson up, down backside, and those two dueled around turn with Kakapo sitting perfect trip under Channing Hill tucked in behind them. Top of lane, Kakapo swung out, ran to daylight. Lex, favored at 6-5, was being asked for run early by Fragoso, couldn’t keep up around turn, finally found best stride final furlong and was closing ground late.
5TH RACE – Native Heir, pounded late to 9-5 for Gill-Shuman, was hard-ridden to make lead from outside post with Special Judge showing good speed along rail, briefly opened daylight and dropped over into turn, but DC’s Thunder came with bold rush while wide around turn, went to front while drifting out even wider top of lane, then was all out to turn back Big EE, 8-year-old sprinter making first start since May for Rick Dutrow.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 4-3-6-5-1-8
One winner receives $28,970
7 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $1,379
No carryover.