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Zivo returns after winning the Commentator Stakes, his 5th straight win. |
On Saturday, Belmont Park hosted Big Apple Showcase Day, a series of 7 stakes races races for New York-breds with a total of $900,000 in purses. Conditions were excellent with a fast track, partly cloudy skies, and temperatures in the high 60's, with 5,985 fans in attendance just a week before the Belmont Stakes.
Zivo wins the Commentator Stakes |
Cherie DeVaux, assistant to winning trainer Chad Brown said, "He's such a professional, gutting it out and getting there right when he needs to. I'm sure everyone heard me cheering for him. He waits until the very last second, but he knows what he's doing." Jockey Jose Ortiz added, "I was worried because the track is playing fast. There was a little traffic but I asked him to go little by little. I saw Big Business was ahead by 3 lengths when I got clear, so I thought maybe I wouldn't get there, but I kept riding and he kept flying."
Isabelle wins the Bouwerie Stakes |
Winning trainer Lisa Lewis said, " It was three weeks back from a big, big effort, so I was definitely concerned about that. The extra furlong, too, and she's so fast I knew it'd be hard to keep her rated. The main thing with her is getting her to settle, but she's making everyone look good. Alex is great that way. He works with this barn." Jockey Alex Solis added, "We always thought she was nice; she keeps improving more and more. Today she ran them off their feet. She has a high cruising speed and just did her thing."
Captain Serious wins the Mike Lee Stakes |
Winning jockey Jose Ortiz said, "I was hoping that Loki's Vengeance was going to go to the lead, but he didn't break well, and I knew the track was playing fast so I decided to go. I took the lead and after that I was just a passenger." Trainer Mike Hushion added, "Jose said he's been watching the track; he ran on it yesterday and knew the cushion wasn't the same. I think he can go on a little bit, distance-wise. He seemed nice and relaxed on the lead. His mother (Madame Diva) was one of my favorite horses ever."
Mah Jong Maddnes wins the Mount Vernon Stakes |
Winning jockey Taylor Rice said, "We were a little worried about pace. But we broke on top and I have a pretty good relationship with her that I can take a big hold. She settled for me real nice. When she did that, I thought, 'Now all we have to do is wait it out.' When we got to the head of the lane I had loads of horse left." Owner Joseph Gioia added, "She, like many other Freuds, has gotten better and better with age. If they can stay sound and stay healthy, they just keep getting better. We see it every year. We took her to South Carolina, which has done a tremendous job with her conditioning and schooling. Going up and down the hills there has just strengthened her so much."
Kharafa wins the Kingston Stakes |
Winning trainer Timothy Hills said, "He gets real strong and he gets almost rank. Javier picks his hands off his neck and he calms down rather than wrestling with him. It makes all the difference in the world. We'll just stay with the series. I think there's one coming up at Saratoga (West Point on August 24). I think we'll find something in between." Jockey Javier Castellano added, "I was right where I wanted to be. I didn't see much pace in the race, my horse broke sharp and he put me in a good spot. Basically, today I was just a pilot, and he took me to the wire. I didn't think anybody could catch him, because I felt him going very fast."
La Verdad wins the Critical Eye Stakes |
Winning trainer Linda Rice said, "She's truly a sprinter. It's a little stressful running a filly who is truly a sprinter at a mile, but it was the best option we had. From here on out, I can shorten her up. The Honorable Miss is 6 furlongs, and it's 7 furlongs in the Ballerina. Typically, speed does pretty well at Saratoga; I think that will help us with the 7 furlongs. She's a Grade 2 winner right now. If we can make her a Grade 1 winner, that would be a huge asset for her going forward."
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