Fleet Indian, massive 4-year-old Jimmy Toner-trained NY-bred filly, always highly regarded after winning her first four starts but yet to earn blacktype, was 4-5 vs. fellow state-breds stretching out to mile-and-eighth in $75,000 Montauk Handicap. Breaking from post 1, she set measured pace (:24.3, :50) in hand under John Velazquez along rail, pressed by The Lamp Is Lit, Pablo Morales up, was not asked for run until top of stretch, then quickly kicked clear with Velazquez sneaking couple of looks back to score as much best.
In $65,000 Real Prize, also at mile-and-eighth for fillies and mares, Strategy, breaking from rail under Velazquez, and even-money favorite Taittinger Rose, Cornelio Velasquez up, raced as team down backside, slowing pace to crawl (:25.4, :52), joined around turn by Freeroll rallying wide under Javier Castellano. Turning for home, Strategy cut corner to assume slight lead, but Freeroll outside and Taittinger between them wouldn’t give inch. Those three battled length of stretch, with stubborn Strategy prevailing by nose in three-way photo with Freeroll getting nod for second after whip flew out of Castellano’s hand with furlong to run. Odds on tote for Strategy dropped from 2-1 to 9-5 as she galloped back to winner’s circle.
* Yesterday was last card run over main track until April; racing moves to inner dirt track Wednesday, sure sign that winter has arrived.
Velazquez, with six winners last two days, won Big A fall meet riding title with 23 winners to 20 for runner-up Edgar Prado. Todd Pletcher edged Rick Dutrow Jr. for leading trainer, 16 to 15.
FOURTH RACE: Crystal Current, homebred from George Steinbrenner’s Kinsman Stable making fourth start for Bill Mott, rallied wide under Velasquez into contention around turn, wore down Autumnal deep stretch to break maiden. Crystal Current, by Horse of Year A.P. Indy out of Boss’s Grade 1-winning Dream Supreme, has big future next year.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 10-8-8-1-1-10
4 winners each paid $57,117
181 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each paid $324.50
No carryover