NY Horse Racing

FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

6.03.2008 - Finger Lakes Weekly Update

Contact: David Mattice
585-924-3232

A look back and ahead…

Democrat dug in and stuck his nose in front of I’m a Yankee to win Tuesday’s eighth race. The 5-year-old New York-bred has made two consecutive trips to the Finger Lakes Winner’s Circle for trainer Charlton Baker. Jockey Dennis Carr notched his second win of the day aboard the $150,747 earner.

Tin Cup Chalice prepared for an upcoming stake appearance by winning Friday’s fifth race by eight and one-quarter lengths under jockey Pedro Rodriguez. The $100,000 Mike Lee Handicap at Belmont Park on June 22 is expected to be the next stop for the Michael Lecesse-trainee. The seven furlong race, restricted for New York-bred 3-year-olds, is the first leg of the Big Apple Triple which includes the $150,000 New York Derby held at Finger Lakes on July 12.

Longshot of the Week: Wheelit rallied from far back to score a victory by a head in Sunday’s ninth race. The win occurred in the 4-year-old filly’s first start of the 2008 season. Jockey Ruben Rojas guided the 69-1 longshot to the upset victory giving trainer David Lathrop his first win of the meet.

News and Notes

Jockey/Trainer News: Trainer Chris Englehart is on pace to crush his 2006 single season record of 141 victories. After 30 days of racing, the seven-time Finger Lakes leading trainer has saddled a total of 34 winning horses at "The Thumb".

Jockey Multiple Wins: Friday, 5/30: Grabowski (3)… J. Davila Jr. (2)…Suarez (2)…Saturday, 5/31: J. Davila Jr. (3)…Flores (2)…Messina (2)…Sunday, 6/1: None…Monday, 6/2: Castillo (2)…J. Davila Jr. (2)…P. Nicol, Jr. (2) …Tuesday, 6/3: Carr (2)…Castillo (2).

Trainer Multiple Wins: Friday, 5/30: Buckley (2)…Lecesse (2)…Saturday, 5/31: C. Englehart (2)…M.S. Ferraro (2)...Sunday, 6/1: M.A. Ferraro (2)…Lecesse (2)...Monday, 6/2: C. Englehart (2)…Tuesday, 6/3: J. Englehart (2)…Lecesse (2).

Upcoming

Saturday, June 7 / Belmont Stakes Day: The first 1,000 guests (over 18) through the racing gates receive a ticket for a free commemorative Belmont Stakes Glass, third of the Triple Crown series. Tickets can be redeemed at the Player Extras Club after the first live race.