JC / Railbird

Suffolk Closes Up

Good news from a resurgent Suffolk Downs: The track closed out its 100-day meet on Saturday, the first under owner Richard Fields, reporting big gains for the first time in several years. Average daily attendance was up 22 percent, on-track handle up 14 percent. “By every standard, it’s been a spectacular year for Suffolk Downs,” said Fields (Boston Herald). One of the meet’s high points was the MassCap, brought back after two-year hiatus and won by Brass Hat in front of a cheering crowd of more than 19,000. Meet titles went to perennial leading trainer John Rigattieri and rider Tammi Piermarini, who won the first Suffolk riding title of her career, although she’s often been near the top of the jockey standings in her 20 years riding at the track.

At Aqueduct: Todd Pletcher’s Big A mini-slump ended Sunday when 1-2 favorite Spanky Fischbein caught Piquante Cat in the final yards of the New York Stallion Great White Way, winning by half a length. The trainer had been 0-for-15 at the meet.