Affirmed Success sharp

ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Richard Schosberg got his wish when the $100,000 Jaipur Handicap was moved from the turf to the main track, and Affirmed Success got his season off to a winning start by wearing down Texas Glitter to take the seven-furlong race by one length.

It was 16 3/4 lengths back to Bought in Dixie, the only other horse to run after seven horses scratched when the race was moved to a muddy main track after weeklong rains made the turf course too soft to use.

Schosberg was leery of running the 7-year-old Affirmed Success over soft turf in his first start in six months. He went so far as to enter Affirmed Success as a main-track only starter in Monday's Red Bank Handicap at Monmouth Park in case the Jaipur stayed on the turf. It cost owner Al Fried $1,000.

Jerry Bailey positioned Affirmed Success ($3.30) just off Texas Glitter's flank leaving the half-mile pole. Texas Glitter floated Affirmed Success wide turning for home, but with eight cracks of Bailey's right-handed whip, Affirmed Success persevered to get his 12th win from 28 starts. He covered the seven furlongs in 1:21.69.

"It was harder than you think,"' Bailey said. "I know Texas Glitter is a five-eighths horse but he has a lot of fight in him and likes the mud. This was a good return effort from Affirmed Success. He's a warrior."

Schosberg plans to return Affirmed Success to the turf in the $100,000 Poker Handicap on July 4.