Jerkens and Shine Again shine again

ELMONT, N.Y. - For the second straight day at Belmont Park, trainer Allen Jerkens won a graded stakes with a mare who rallied from last in a four-horse field to beat an odds-on favorite trained by Richard Dutrow Jr.

Sunday, Shine Again came from just off the pace to win the Grade 2, $150,000 Genuine Risk Handicap by four lengths over 3-5 favorite Carson Hollow. On Saturday, House Party split horses in upper stretch to win the Grade 2 Nassau County Breeders' Cup Handicap by three lengths over 3-5 shot Cyber Secret.

Harmony Lodge, who tried to run with Carson Hollow early in the Genuine Risk, finished third, 6 1/4 lengths ahead of September Secret.

The Genuine Risk was marred by the death of A New Twist, who flipped over backward in the paddock and fractured the base of her skull. She died instantly.

In a race run through a very thick fog, Shine Again, under Jean-Luc Samyn, was never more than two lengths off the early pace established by Carson Hollow, under John Velazquez. Shine Again took command leaving the eighth pole and covered the six furlongs in 1:09.19 over a fast track. She returned $6.20 as the 2-1 second choice.

"She's all heart," Samyn said. "We weren't too far off the pace, in a comfortable position. When I asked her, she responded. I get on her in the mornings and she's a real pleasure to ride. She makes it all look easy."

The victory was the third straight and 14th from 29 career starts for Shine Again, a 6-year-old Bohemia Stable homebred daughter of Wild Again. Last year, Shine Again finished second to Xtra Heat in this race.

Jerkens said he would probably point Shine Again to the Vagrancy Handicap, a Grade 2 race on June 8.