TURNPIKE TOKEN SCORES UPSET IN ONTARIO STAKES
Contact: David Mattice
Publicity Dept.
585-924-3232 x234
FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Turnpike Token scored an upset victory in the $50,000 Ontario County Stakes at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on Saturday. He won the 27th renewal of the annual event for New York-bred 3-year-olds by a narrow margin at odds of 12-1.
The $68,154 earner was rated off the early pace by jockey Wilfredo Rohena and rallied up the inside to defeat Vital Argument. He won by a nose over his rival who was attempting to bite his face during the spirited stretch battle.
The bay gelding recently returned to his former barn after M. Anthony Ferraro re-claimed him for $12,500 on June 18. Ferraro had previously lost him for $7,500 on May 4. He was a longshot in the race due to the presence of a well regarded shipper trained by Steven Asmussen named Raynick’s Jet.
"I didn’t know if he could beat the horse from New York", said Ferraro. "He finished ahead of a couple of the other ones before so I knew he would run well."
Turnpike Token completed the six furlong sprint in a time of 1:10.72. He notched his fourth career triumph and returned $27.00, $11.80 and $3.50. Vital Argument was a game second and paid $10.60 and $2.90. Raynick’s Jet finished third as the odds-on favorite and paid $2.10.
The $50,000 Genesee Valley Breeders’ Handicap is the next stake scheduled to be run at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. The feature event is part of the festivities planned for Old Fashioned Day on August 7. One Dollar Hot Dogs and 50 cent sodas will be sold outside the Clubhouse entrance and there will be 50-cent individual racing programs at all program stands. Beginning at 11:30am, the first 750 Members to check in at Player Extras may request to receive five Finger Lakes Jockey Trading Cards. Post time for the first race is set at 1:10 p.m.
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