NINE ENTERED IN NY DERBY

585-924-3232 x234 NEWS RELEASE

FARMINGTON, N.Y. –Chief’s Lake will challenge eight other rivals at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on Saturday, as he continues his bid to receive a $250,000 bonus from the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing Program. The $150,000 New York Derby for New York-bred 3-year-olds attracted all of the top four finishers from the $100,000 Mike Lee Handicap, the first leg of the Big Apple Triple. The 35th renewal of the event will be the eighth race of the nine race card. The $50,000 Niagara Stakes is set as the seventh.

Chief’s Lake, one of the top contenders for the one mile and one-sixteenth race, won the June 24th running of the Mike Lee Handicap at Belmont Park by three and one-quarter lengths. The four-time winner has a larger bankroll than any of his rivals with $187,030 in career purse earnings for owners Vinery Stables. With a four length victory in the $100,000 Sleepy Hollow Stakes on October 21 at Belmont Park, he is also the only multiple stakes winner in the eighth race field. Channing Hill will be aboard the 3-1 early second choice for trainer Steven Asmussen.

Winning Move Stable’s Stunt Man is 5-1 on the morning line after consecutive second place finishes at Belmont Park in both the $75,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes on June 3 and the Mike Lee. Jockey John Grabowski will be in the saddle of the Gary Contessa-trainee vying for his 78th stakes victory. Grabowski won the 2006 running of the New York Derby with Ferocious Won.

Alan Garcia, who guided Funny Cide to victory in the $100,000 Wadsworth Memorial Handicap,will return to Finger Lakes to ride Dr. V’s Magic for owner Majesty Stud. Dr. V’s Magic finished third in the Mike Lee after a three length win in the Spectacular Bid for trainer Dominic Galluscio.

Flying Zee Stable’s French Transition is the morning line favorite for Saturday’s feature race after winning an allowance race on June 17 at Belmont Park, despite stumbling at the start. He has run primarily in races that were not restricted for New York-breds, including a fifth place finish in the $200,000 Grade 2 R.B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park on March 3. Edgar Prado, who has won 552 stakes in his career, will be aboard the 5-2 program choice for trainer Frank Martin, Sr.

NIAGARA STAKES

Talking Treasure is expected to be the odds-on choice to take the 27th running of the $50,000 Niagara Stakes for 3-year-old New York-bred fillies. The Charlton Baker-trainee is the lone stakes winner in the seven horse field. She won the $100,000 Bouwerie Stakes at Belmont Park on May 6 for owners Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey. Robert Messina is the jockey listed to ride the 8-5 morning favorite who has been laid off since finishing fourth in the $65,000 Touch of Love Stakes on June 1 at Belmont Park.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the first 1,500 fans (over 18) who visit will receive a commemorative New York Derby baseball cap. Post time for the first race is set at 1:10 p.m. Below are the fields for the $150,000 New York Derby and the $50,000 Niagara Stakes:

No.           Horse              Odds               Jockey   

1          Embrace Life         20-1               Camejo. O

2          Stunt Man              5-1               Grabowski, J

3           Berry Bound          12-1             Rocco, J

4          French Transition    5-2              Prado, E.

5          Chief’s Lake             3-1              Hill, C

6          Dr. V’s Magic          5-1             Garcia, A

7          Good Prospect        6-1           Jara, F

8           Bayou Timber       10-1          Fragosa, P

9           Indian Camp             6-1            Nicol, Jr. P

$50,000 Niagara Stakes

No.               Horse               Odds                          Jockey  

1              Cool Paradigm        5-2                      Grabowski, J

2              Talking Treasure    8-5                      Messina, R

3               Summer Ranjiz      20-1                        Yang, C

4               Labeespa Rubia     5-1                       Rodriguez, P

5               Klassic Kayla         6-1                      Osorio, D

6               Taconic Girl           10-1                     Dominguez, C

7               Go for Glory             5-1                     Castillo, E