POCKET COWBOYS HOLDS ALL THE CARDS IN 37TH NEW YORK DERBY
Contact: David Mattice
Publicity Dept.
585-924-3232 x234
FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Pocket Cowboys scored a gate-to-wire victory in the 37th renewal of the $159,400 New York Derby at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on Saturday. The 6-1 outsider completed the one mile and one-sixteenth route for New York-bred 3-year-olds in a time of 1:45.12 over a sloppy racing surface.
The bay gelding owned and trained by Scott Schwartz encountered a late challenge by Slevin after setting the early pace under jockey Paul Nicol, Jr. He responded to the competition and drew away to win by one and one-quarter length.
"He was a game horse today", said Nicol. "He did what I wanted him to do and then he dug in."
Nicol achieved his second New York Derby victory aboard the $185,590 earner and the 69th stakes win in his career. He also guided Sky Carr to a three length victory in the 1993 running of the annual stake.
Pocket Cowboys won the event in his first stakes appearance and paid $14.60, $5.40 and $3.90. Slevin ran second to return $4.90 and $2.90. Uncle T Seven finished in the top three for the fifth consecutive time and paid $3.50.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
Tin Cup Chalice was officially inducted as the 18th member into the Finger Lakes Hall of Fame in a ceremony that took place after the running of the sixth race. Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association President David Brown and Finger Lakes Senior Director of Operations Phillip Palermo presented a plaque to owners Scott Van Laer and Michael Lecesse to honor the $868,680 earner.
Last year, Tin Cup Chalice won all three legs of the Big Apple Triple which included the $150,000 New York Derby. He remains the only 3-year-old to complete the sweep after $100,000 Mike Lee Stakes winner Legal Consent finished off the board in Saturday’s feature race.
The Big Apple Triple series concludes with the $150,000 Albany Stakes which will be run at a distance of one mile and one-eighth at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, August 26.
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