Trainer Aaron Sayler saddled $28.80 longshot.
by George
Trainer Aaron Sayler saddled the longshot of the night in an ASD Pick-4 that paid $6,800.60 and a 10-pound bug named Belle lodged two claims of foul against veteran jockeys and won. It was that kind of night at the Downs.
The Pick-4 started off with a bang when first time starter Our No Nah Me (picked by Rob here) dug deep under jockey Robert Reeves Jr. to win a long stretch battle in Race 4, lighting up the tote board at $25.20 for trainer Chad Torevell.
Quaker Shaker Tony survived one of the three claims of foul on the night to take Race 5 by 3 ½-lengths with jockey Rohan Singh aboard for trainer Blair Miller. Quaker Shaker Tony did intimidate runner-up Pivot Pad just a bit in late turn, but that horse also came off the rail a little under Tyrone Nelson and it was clear that “Shaker” wasn’t getting beat on this night. He paid $9.30 to win.
The combination of winners at odds of 12-1 and 7/2 odds in the first two legs of the Pick-4 were enough to knock most players out of the pool and trainer Aaron Sayler finished off most remaining live tickets when he saddled longshot of the night Stylish Lady to win Race 6. Ridden by Jerry Pruitt, Stylish Lady was making her first start of the year and paid $28.80.
Oops and a Half performed like the rumors said he would to win the final leg of the Pick-4 for trainer Clayton Gray and jockey Praven Badrie. Rob also mentioned that horse in his Pick-4 article and the horse still paid $9.10 to win. The $2 Pick-4 paid $6,800.60 for a few lucky bettors and I wasn’t one of them. Were you? If so, congratulations on some exceptional handicapping!
New 10-pound bug (apprentice) Shad Belle lodged two claims of foul against veteran jockeys and was successful with both. In Race 1 he was shut off at the break by Tyrone Nelson, and in Race 7 he was shut off in the stretch by jockey Larry Munoz when trying to rally up the rail. Tough night for Belle, because he did nothing wrong in either race. In the first case he might have been on the lead by himself aboard Archie’s Way. Mark that horse down as a potential speed horse to watch in his next few starts.
The best payoff of the night besides the Pick-4 probably went to a lucky numbers player who boxed 1-2-3 in Race 4. The $2 Triactor paid $3,247.50 for anyone who had the 1-3-2 combination of Our No Nah Me (Odds: $11.60), Hurrionby ($9.75) and Double Trickster ($4.35). Heavy favorite Sonho ($1.15) finished fourth in the 8-horse field.
Jockeys Robert Reeves Jr. and Jerry Pruitt each won a pair of races, as did trainer Chad Torevell. A new rider here this year, Reeves Jr. is now on top of the jockey standings with three wins after two days of racing. Chad Torevell tops the trainer standings with three wins.
Shad Belle leads in successful claims of foul with two.