By ED FOUNTAINE
May 31, 2008
Stormin Normandy, 3-1 choice for Big Brown's connections of trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. and IEAH Stable, stretching out from six furlongs to mile-and-sixteenth in $75,000 Noble Nashua for NY-breds, set the pace under Cornelio Velasquez and looked home free with two-length lead a furlong from wire. But 19-1 Stud Muffin, John Velazquez up, came flying inside to nail Stormin Normandy in final yards.
Today's pick 6 pool at Belmont should swell to near $1 million with two-day carryover of $166G.
FIRST RACE: Jockey agent Steve Adika said he would be putting his new rider, Jeffrey Sanchez, up from Florida, on some live longshots, and Sanchez delivered, quickly opening daylight aboard 15-1 Lacy Halo, then holding off the late charge of 3-5 favorite Mt. Langfuhr.
SECOND RACE: Trainer Nick Zito dropped Bobby Sands in for 35G maiden-claiming tag, and son of Gulch, off at 4-5, kicked off pick 3 chalk parade. With double bug boy Sebastian Morales up, Bobby Sands set the pace pressed by Counting House, opened daylight into the turn, and was never threatened. Though we wonder why Morales spanked him with stick as they crossed wire 51/2 lengths in front.
FOURTH RACE: Lyke a Hurricane, dropping first time from New York-bred special-weight ranks in for 35G maiden-claiming tag, was pounded to 3-5 for first start since February. He rallied wide turning for home, took command mid-stretch, but got a late scare as 16-1 Look Now, Oscar Gomez up, finished with flourish to fall short by diminishing neck.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 9-2-8-6-6-5
No winners
Consolation (5 of 6) paid $255
Carryover: $166,135
