C’Est L’Amour came up the rail and nipped Tugger by a head to win the Grade 2 $150,000 Nassau County Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Miss Inquisitive was three-quarters of a length behind in third.
Trained by Hall of Famer Phil Johnson and ridden by Edgar Prado, C’Est L’Amour ran the seven furlongs in 1:23 2/5. It was the second win in as many starts this year for C’Est L’Amour and her first career stakes. She will probably run next in the Grade 1, $200,000 Acorn at a mile on Friday, June 9.
Virgil “Buddy” Raines, former trainer and the grandfather of jockey Mike Luzzi, died yesterday morning at the age of 89. Raines had suffered a stroke three years ago and had been in a nursing home in Aiken, S.C. Funeral arragements are pending.
Richard T. Santulli and Yankee owner George Steinbrenner were elected to the Board of Trustees of NYRA at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting yesterday morning. Their appointments are pending the approval of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.
1ST RACE – The temperatures were colder than the past few days and the skies were cloudy, but the rain held off from dampening the opening card at Belmont. River Bed stalked the pace and took over at the top of the stretch to win the opener. Regal Dynasty saved ground throughout and tried to go through an opening on the rail in the stretch. But Santo Pronto bore in to force Regal Dynasty to check and lose any chance of winning the race. Regal Dynasty recovered quickly, then angled outside and caught Santo Pronto for the place spot.
2ND RACE – Favored Opening Address rated off the pace while saving ground. On the far turn, the rear end of Opening Address seemed to brush with the temporary rail that was up. Opening Address got spooked when his rear end brushed and appeared to try to jump the rail. She checked sharply but then recovered and still closed well to finish fourth.
3RD RACE – With Ability was bet down as the favorite and did not disappoint as she broke well and went on to an impressive victory. Western Justice was in tight quarters early and shuffled back. She then angled outside and split horses to reach contention. She closed well to dead-heat with Curious Conundrum for the show spot. Hit Gold closed well on the rail to finish second.
6TH RACE – Despite being a mare facing the boys, the public made Do Not Forsake Me the favorite. She chased the pace set by He’s A Charm but could not keep up with him and faded badly in the stretch. Granted the Serey magic has been great recently but this was asking a bit much versus these. He’s A Charm went on to an easy victory since he was never seriously threatened early in the race.
7TH RACE – Favored Royal Fair checked sharply out of the gate when Singing Rockette bore in and bothered her. She trailed the field throughout and made a wide move on the far turn to try to reach contention. She closed well on the outside and Jerry Bailey wrapped up on her when she was comfortably in third and had no chance to catch the two horses in front of her.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 4-1-10-5-3-2
No winners
One consolation (5 of 6) winner
receives $8,970
Carryover: $26,911.68