Fairplex Park: Close to the Edge wins Governor’s Cup Handicap; pick-six carryover of $36,135 for Thursday's card

POMONA, Calif. – Jockey Edwin Maldonado won four races – including the $50,000 Governor’s Cup Handicap – on Wednesday evening at Fairplex Park, where Maldonado is trying to dethrone Martin Pedroza as leading rider at the Los Angeles County Fair.

With four victories on the twilight card, including Close to the Edge ($13.40) in the Governor’s Cup, Maldonado has 18 wins, four more than Pedroza, who had one winner. Pedroza has won the Fairplex riding title 13 straight years.

Close to the Edge won the 6 1/2-furlong Governor’s Cup by 3 1/2 lengths over Ain’t No Other. Clubhouse Ride stumbled badly at the start and did well to finish a length back in third. Indian Firewater, the 5-2 favorite, finished seventh.

Close to the Edge was claimed for $40,000 on Aug. 22 at Del Mar and was making his first start for trainer Victor Garcia and owner Lucky Charm Stable. The win was the seventh from 28 starts for the 5-year-old son of Yes It’s True.

There were no winning tickets in the pick six. The carryover into Thursday is $36,135.