Aqueduct spring meet titles go to Franco, Rodriguez

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Manny Franco, Rudy Rodriguez, and the trio of Mike Repole, Klaravich Stables, and Drawing Away Stables led their respective categories at the 12-day Aqueduct spring meet, which concluded Saturday.

Franco, who won two races Saturday, finished the meet with 18 wins, three more than Jose Lezcano. Irad Ortiz, who won four races Saturday finished third with 11 wins followed by Kendrick Carmouche (9) and Eric Cancel (9). Franco was also the leading jockey at the Aqueduct winter meet.

Rudy Rodriguez won nine races at the spring meet, one more than Todd Pletcher, who won Saturday’s $100,000 Woodhaven Stakes with Clint Maroon. Following Pletcher were Chad Brown (6), Linda Rice (6) and James Bond (5).

Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables won two races Saturday and Drawing Away Stable also won a race to forge a three-way tie with Mike Repole for leading owner. All three entities had four wins.

After five dark days, racing on this circuit moves to Belmont Park beginning Friday for a 48-day meet.

Belmont’s nine-race opening-day card is topped by the $100,000 Affirmed Success for New York-breds. The six-furlong race features the last two winners of the Affirmed Success – Eye Luv Lulu and Celtic Chaos – as well as stakes winners Pat On the Back, Syndergaard, Bavaro, Runaway Lute, and Sudden Surprise. Tribecca completes the field.