IBBOYEE CONTINUES FINGER LAKES SUCCESS
Contact: David Mattice
Publicity Dept.
585-924-3232 x234
FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Ibboyee returned to Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on Saturday and won the 38th renewal of the $161,600 New York Derby. He scored a one-half length victory in the one mile and one-sixteenth route for New York-bred 3-year-olds.
The bay colt owned by Anstu Stables was kept close to the early pace of Johannesburg Smile before angling out and rallying to earn his sixth lifetime victory. Jockey Michael Luzzi guided the Todd Pletcher-trainee to the feature race triumph in a final time of 1:45.02. Luzzi rode Ibboyee for the first time in the Saturday feature but received information on the horse from his previous rider John Velasquez.
"I talked to John Velasquez and got the game plan from Pletcher", said Luzzi. "I learned a lot more about how he likes to run and that helped out a lot."
Ibboyee made his third visit to the Finger Lakes winners circle and remains undefeated at the Western New York track. He also won the $150,900 Aspirant Stakes and the $314,263 New York Breeders’ Futurity in 2009. The $595,258 earner scored both 2-year-old victories by over six lengths.
He was the post time favorite for the event and paid $3.20, $2.10 and $2.10. Shrewd One ran second to return $2.50 and $2.10. Johannesberg Smile faded to be third and paid $3.50.
Arctic Queen Handicap
La Concerto won a narrow decision over Gold for the Queen in the 12th running of the $50,000 Arctic Queen Handicap on Saturday. The $245,489 earner owned by Padua Stables finished the six furlong sprint for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years old and up in a time of 1:10.64.
The Steven Asmussen-trainee took the seventh race by a nose under jockey Edgar Prado and paid $3.90 and $2.10. Gold for the Queen paid $2.20 for finishing second. Lovely Daniella was an unthreatening third.
New York-bred 3-year-olds will again do battle in the next stakes race at Finger Lakes. The $50,000 Ontario County Stakes is scheduled to be run at distance of six furlongs on Saturday, July 31.
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