Nice to see oldtimer Evening Attire back in winner’s circle after Grade 3, $100,000 Stuyvesant Handicap. The winner of the 2002 Jockey Club Gold Cup, trainer Pat Kelly’s 7-year-old gray gelding is one of few horses to win graded stakes over all four NYRA dirt tracks (Big A, inner dirt, Belmont, Spa) but was winless in nine starts since taking Saratoga Breeders’ Cup in Aug. 2004.
Tucked in along rail under Jose Santos’ snug hold just off pace set by Aggadan, Evening Attire saved ground to top of stretch, swung out for running room, kicked in final furlong to run down West Virginia, who’d taken lead from Aggadan in midstretch, to score by a neck.
The public is invited to a benefit being held tomorrow night, 7-10 p.m. at Shackletons (1050 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square; 516-355-5681) to raise legal defense funds for former NYRA clerk of scales, Mario Sclafani, and former assistant clerk, retired Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza, both fired by NYRA after being indicted for allegedly allowing jockeys to ride overweight. Many racing personalities are expected to attend.
Congratulations to Racing Form scribe Dave Grening and wife Beth on arrival of son Joshua Arthur, who weighed in Thursday night at hefty 8 pounds, 3 ounces.
2ND RACE – Boysik set early pace, pressed by Path of Perfection, then Tipperary came gunning up outside under apprentice Channing Hill to duel with Boysik around turn, while Flip a Coin rallied wide. Tipperary went to front top of stretch, then Platinum Couple, with Jose Espioza up, 7-5 favorite first-time Lasix for Joe Lostritto dropping back vs. N.Y.-bred maidens after running in Sleepy Hollow Stakes last out, came charging outside to bid for command in midstretch. Tipperary drifted out in front of Flip a Coin, who checked under Norberto Arroyo Jr., then dug in gamely to battle it out with Platinum Couple, who prevailed nearing wire. Stewards posted inquiry sign, but Tipperary was clear when he came out while Flip a Coin was tiring; result stood.
4TH RACE – With three-day carryover of $183,000, another 635G was poured into Pick 6 pool; most tickets were wiped out in first leg, 51/2-furlong dash for N.Y.-bred maiden 2-year-old fillies, when Nikki’s Halo, first-time starter from Kim Laudati stable, gunned to front under Mike Luzzi, galloped along on daylight lead, easily repulsed outside bid of Bella Theresa turning for home, won for fun at 13-1.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 4-5-8-2-1-8
2 winners; each receives $270,540
76 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $1,562
No carryover