Accountforthegold outruns the mob
Proving his last-out nine-length slop win at Belmont was no fluke, Accountforthegold ($10.60) quickly took command at the start of Saturday's $110,100 , and led past every pole to win by a length over late-rallying 7-5 favorite Carminooch. Organizer, the recent winner of the Empire Classic, finished third, as New York-breds swept the top three positions in the Grade 3 stakes.
Accountforthegold, a son of Successful Appeal, set all the fractions of 23.97 seconds, 47.65, 1:11.60, and 1:36.10 while building a big lead in midstretch under Mike Luzzi. They remained clear, running the
1 1/8 miles in 1:48.96 on a fast inner-dirt track that had been pressed into service on Friday.
"I guess the Successful Appeals are running farther than anyone thought they would," said Luzzi.
"He's always been a good horse and he's just matured at 4," said winning trainer Gary Contessa. "He's going to be even better next year. He's staying right here this winter."
The winner of last year's New York Derby at Finger Lakes, Accountforthegold earned $66,060 for Winning Move Stable and Harold Lerner.
The winners' circle was a scene right out of "The Sopranos." Steve Sigler of Winning Move Stable is the father of Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who portrays Meadow Soprano on the hit TV show. Carminooch (Three Amigos Stable) is owned in part by Tony "Paulie Walnuts" Sirico.
o In Saturday's first race, jockeys Eibar Coa and Jose Santos miraculously emerged from a nasty spill relatively unscathed. Santos was unseated from Mountain General when the 8-year-old gelding broke down in upper stretch. Fit Faze, who was trailing close behind, fell in a chain reaction and unseated Coa.
Santos was taken to first aid and took off his remaining mounts.
"He cut his tongue but otherwise he's fine," said his agent, Drew Mollica. "We're cautiously optimistic he'll ride Sunday. He'll certainly keep his commitments and ride throughout the upcoming week."
Coa took off his mount in race 3, but returned to ride the rest of his mounts, including an allowance win on Sinkwich, and a third-place finish on Organizer in the Stuyvesant.
Mountain General was euthanized. Fit Faze was not seriously injured.