Aqueduct: Multiple Choice upsets Gravesend

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Multiple Choice ($11.40), who hadn't won a six-furlong race in 18 months, blew past pacesetting Sing Me Back Home inside the 70-yard marker en route to a three-quarter-length victory in the $109,200 Gravesend Handicap at Aqueduct.

It was the second consecutive Grade 3 stakes victory for Multiple Choice, who in October won the seven-furlong Sport Page Handicap. Sing Me Back Home, third to Multiple Choice in the Sport Page, held second by 1 1/4 lengths over Gold I.D.

Say Florida Sandy, the 1998 and 2000 Gravesend winner, finished fourth. Wrangler, the 2-1 favorite, Late Carson and Vino Solo completed the order of finish. Sassy Hound was scratched.

Multiple Choice, a 4-year-old son of Mt. Livermore owned by Peter Blum, last won at six furlongs in June 2001. Since then, he had been 0 for 7 at the distance. Multiple Choice was entered in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile in November, but was scratched when he developed a quarter crack.

Under Victor Carrero, Multiple Choice covered six furlongs in 1:09.26 over a fast track.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens said he may point Multiple Choice to the Grade 2 General George Handicap at Laurel on Feb. 17.

* Earlier on the card, Tom's Thunder ($10.80) repelled several challenges from John Paul Too and defeated him by one-half length in the $85,500 Alex M. Robb Stakes for New York-breds. Mount Intrepid, second in this race a year ago, rallied for third.

It was Tom's Thunder's first start since being claimed for $75,000 by owner Michael Dubb and trainer Pat Reynolds on Dec. 1. Tom's Thunder, under C.C. Lopez, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.92.