SMOKIN HERO SHATTERS STAKES RECORD
Contact: David Mattice
Publicity Dept.
585-924-3232 x234
FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Smokin Hero recorded the fastest time ever for the $50,000 Ontario County Stakes at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on Saturday. His final time of 1:09.25 shattered the previous record for the six furlong sprint for New York-bred 3-year-olds by one full second.
The $155,315 earner set the early pace under jockey John Davila, Jr. and drew away from stablemate Early Response to win the 26th running of the annual event by three lengths. His performance was not only the best in the history of the stake, but it was also the quickest six furlong time run at Finger Lakes this season.
Both top two finishers were from the barn of trainer Chris Englehart. They were each supplemented into Saturday’s feature with a nomination fee of $1,000.Smokin Hero scored his fourth career victory in his eleventh start while notching his first stakes win.The dark bay or brown gelding owned by Brous Stable, R. D. Hubbard and Wachtel Stable was the public choice for the eighth race and paid $4.20, $2.90 and $2.10. His uncoupled stablemate Early Response was second and returned $4.40 and $2.90. Marsh Dawg finished third and paid $2.80.
The next stakes race at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack will be run on Sunday, August 9. New York-bred 3-year-olds and up will compete in the $50,000 Genesee Valley Breeders’ Handicap at a distance of one mile and one-sixteenth.
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