Jeremy Beasley escaped serious injury again in his second spill in less than a week.
In the seventh race, Beasley was involved in a chain reaction entering the clubhouse turn that caused him to be unseated from his mount Offtheturf. Beasley lay motionless on the ground as the field ran down the backstretch.
With the help of emergency personnel, Beasley was able to get to the waiting ambulance on the far rail without the use of a stretcher. He went to first aid and then left to see his physician. He was complaining of pain in his left hip and rib area.
With racing switching to the inner track, it is fortunate that more incidents like the seventh race spill do not happen. NYRA has an Apprentice Riders’ Program every Sunday morning where all the apprentices (attendance is mandatory for them) and any new jockeys to the colony have a meeting to discuss different aspects of racing.
I’ve been to a couple of the meetings and one of them discussed the switch to the inner track and the run into the clubhouse turn. Veterans like Jerry Bailey, Aaron Gryder and Mike Luzzi spoke to the apprentices and talked about the run into the turn. They stressed communication and making sure there is room for all entering the turn. They do watch out for each other and will help if someone legitimately is in tight or feels trouble coming. NYRA should be commended for this program and hopefully all the jockeys have learned greatly from it.
2ND RACE — Luzzi won the race with Devil’s Applause soon after the start. Devil’s Applause broke well and was able to clear the field and angle inside to the rail while entering the clubhouse turn. She was never threatened afterwards and drew off in the stretch for the victory at 15-1. Rush Forever was wide into the clubhouse turn, then saved ground on the far turn. Entering the stretch she brushed with S. S. Finesse but was able to close well for the place spot. J. D.’S Best Seller was wide and tired badly. Then she was vanned off.
4TH RACE — Gryder was able to clear the field and move inside entering the clubhouse turn to set the pace. Salt Lake Dancer stalked the pace in third under a hard hold by Bridgmohan. Wild Palm started to draw off and came home an easy winner. Real Merry had a wide trip and Teator lost his whip in the stretch.
6TH RACE — Beasley broke an 0-for-19 losing streak on the inner track with a good looking ride on Unreal Madness. Home On the Ridge set the pace with Johnny Legit pressing between horses and Unreal Madness three wide. On the turn, Beasley sent Unreal Madness to the lead and then held off a determined Johnny Legit for the victory. Dice Dancer steadied in the backstretch and was never a threat.
8TH RACE — Another 3-year-old came back to the races in impressive fashion as Noteasybeingreen, making his first start since January, went gate to wire for the victory. He ran the mile and a sixteenth in an impressive 1:42 3/5. After finishing second in the Cowdin last year, he checked early and never threatened while finishing 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He came back with two consecutive victories on the inner track before being giving a break because of stomach problems. The New York-bred follows Badge as impressive winners coming off the layoff at a route. Errant Escort saved ground throughout and was caught behind horses on the turn. He angled out in the stretch and closed between horses to gain the place spot.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 1-7-1-7-8-4
2 winners each receives $16,912
56 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $201
No carryover.