SWEETNORTHERNSAINT UNCHALLENGED IN WADSWORTH
Contact: David Mattice
Publicity Dept.
585-924-3232 x234
FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Sweetnorthernsaint set a moderate pace and cruised to a four length victory in the 33rd renewal of the $50,000 Wadsworth Memorial Handicap at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on Saturday. The 6-year-old Florida-bred completed the one mile and one-eighth route in a final time of 1:52.07 for owners Joseph Balsamo and Ted Theos.
The $947,632 earner entered the Independence Day feature with an impressive resume that included a victory in the Grade 2 $500,000 Illinois Derby and a second behind Bernardini in the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Preakness Stakes during his 3-year-old campaign in 2006. However, he had not visited the Winner’s Circle since taking the $55,000 Primal Stakes at Calder on August 23, 2008. Trainer Steve Klesaris had been working him out at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland to get him back to his winning ways.
"This horse needed a little change of pace", said the assistant trainer of Klesaris. "He’s really done well since being at Fair Hill".
Sweetnorthensaint drew away from his rivals in Finger Lakes’ longest stake under jockey John Davila, Jr. to record his eighth career win and paid $5.10, $2.80 and $2.60. Tommasi finished second and returned $3.00 and $3.40. Tiger Speech was third and paid $3.50.
John Grabowski was aboard the $50,000 Niagara Stakes winner for the eighth time in his career on Saturday. He guided Tina Marie Bond’s Sezzana to a four length victory in the 29th running of the sprint for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies.
It was the third consecutive win for Sezzana while under the care of trainer H. James Bond. The $89,405 earner finished the six furlong dash in a time of 1:11.75 and paid $5.20, $3.70 and $2.60. Dorothy’s Essence lasted to be second after setting the early pace to return $9.50 and $5.80. Songstressofdubai was third and paid $3.80.
Earlier in the day, Ezequiel Perez scored a tight victory over Jose Baez in the annual jockey foot race to benefit the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund. Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack donated $2,400 to the charity for injured and disabled riders because of the event.
The next stake at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack will be run on Saturday, July 11. The $150,000 New York Derby for 3-year-old New York-breds will be run at a distance of one mile and one-sixteenth.
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