Four-win day pads Gorham's lead
Bob Gorham widened his advantage in the Pinnacle Race Course trainer standings when he won four of the six races in which he was entered Tuesday, while employing all three of the top riders. Gorham, the leading trainer in last year's inaugural Pinnacle meet, has won 48 races through the first 35 days of racing here, 28 more than the competition.
Froilan Flores, Gorham's assistant, saddled the winners Tuesday in Gorham's absence. Jig Is Up ($5) won her maiden in the second race under leading rider Jeffrey Skerrett, for the first of his three wins on the card. Gorham's sister, Marion Gorham, owns the Quiet Enjoyment filly.
Cosmo Babe ($4) won the next race for owner Henry Mast. Bred by her owner in Kentucky, Cosmo Babe was winning for the second time at the meet for Skerrett.
First-time starter Sunny Stripe ($8.20) made it three in a row on the card with Angel Stanley riding for Gorham. Mast owns the 2-year-old Service Stripe gelding. Win No. 4 came when Freddie Mata rallied Binn Dixie for that one's second win at the meet. Gorham bred Binn Dixie and Marion Gorham is the owner.
Skerrett and Mata each tripled on the card, and Skerrett leads his rival 50 to 46 in the standings. Skerrett also won the fifth race with Chicago shipper Solo Concerto ($7.40) for trainer Liane Davis and owner Steve Lewis.
In addition to Binn Dixie, Mata won the first race with My Calico ($3). The field was reduced by scratches to three starters and My Calico held on to win by a head, despite her figure-eight bridle coming loose and flopping about her face soon after the start of the race. Evelyn Griffin trains My Calico for Samaron Stable. Mata's triple was completed when Q Ginger Snap ($8.40) won at second asking in the sixth race for trainer Sandy Adkins and owner Charlie Williams.
* Ricardo Barrios, who led the jockey standings for June and most of July, will be away from the saddle for three to five weeks, after suffering a broken bone in his right hand. He is now fourth in the standings with 34 wins.