On the Verge
– Jockey Garrett Gomez, on the verge of setting a new record for most stakes wins in a year (DRF), had five mounts at Hollywood this afternoon and won two races, but neither was a stakes. In the War Chant Stakes, Gomez’s ride, the uninspiring favorite Karazi, finished sixth. The victory instead went to Jose Valdivia, aboard 3-1 Warning Zone. Gomez will get his next shot at tying the record, currently held by retired rider Jerry Bailey, on Saturday in the Audrey Skirbal-Kennis Stakes, where he’s named to ride Hucking Hot, a promising filly with a troubled past (ESPN).
– Five favorites and the Aqueduct pick six still paid $14,814. Love Cove at 11-1 in the second leg must have knocked out quite a few tickets vying for a piece of the two-day carryover pot this afternoon.
– There’s a great quote from George Bolton, part-owner of likely Horse of the Year Curlin, in the post-Breeders’ Cup issue of Blood-Horse: “Why would we retire him? So I can buy 10 more that can’t run?” The possibility that the Classic winner might return to the races as a 4-year-old grew stronger today with the news that Bolton and Jess Jackson have bought out partner Satish Sanan’s interest in the colt for an undisclosed sum. “Mr. Bolton and Mr. Jackson are looking at all possibilities for the future of the horse,” said lawyer Richard Getty (Herald-Leader). Bolton and Jackson now control 80% of Curlin. As for the other 20%, Michael at Curb My Enthusiasm has been following that saga.
