Jerkens boys score stakes double

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Like father, like son is the latest handicapping angle to get results in the wake of stakes sweep in the slop by the Jerkens boys on a rainy and windy Saturday at Aqueduct.

Multiple Choice, trained by "Giant Killer Junior" Jimmy Jerkens, rated off early fractions of 22.85 and 46.01 seconds - as his stablemate Voodoo battled for the lead inside of Saint Verre and Sing Me Back Home - and rallied wide into the stretch to win the $111,400, Grade 3 Sport Page Handicap by a widening 7 1/4 lengths.

About a half-hour later, Jimmy's dad, Allen, the Giant Killer himself, sent out Shine Again for a rail-skimming triumph over Redhead Riot and slight favorite Raging Fever in the $150,000, Grade 2 First Flight Handicap for fillies and mares.

In the Sport Page, Multiple Choice began moving willingly toward the front as jockey Victor Carrero eased him out four wide nearing the quarter pole and they drew off with every stride after reaching the front in the upper stretch. Bowman's Band, far back early, rallied wide to nip Sing Me Back Home for second. Gold I.D. finished fourth. Voodoo faded to fifth.

Multiple Choice improved to 3-1-1 from five lifetime starts over Aqueduct's main track, and notched his first stakes victory for owner/breeder Peter Blum.

"He's been knocking on the door," Jimmy Jerkens said. "He liked the slop, usually Mt. Livermores do. Maybe we'll try the Cigar Mile [Nov. 30]. We've got nothing to lose."

Multiple Choice was the first career stakes win for Carrero, who became a journeyman rider at Belmont's fall meet. Multiple Choice ran seven furlongs in 1:23.28 on the sloppy track, earned $66,840, and paid $32.80.

In the First Flight, Shine Again improved her record to 4 for 4 on Aqueduct's main track, and 4 for 4 at seven furlongs, after coming through inside pacesetter Redhead Riot in the upper stretch en route to a two-length triumph under Jean-Luc Samyn. It was the second straight year that Shine Again has won the First Flight, and it was her 12th win overall from 27 starts.

Redhead Riot, making her first start in a graded stakes, held second over 11-10 choice and 119-pound highweight Raging Fever. Tugger and Judge's Song completed the order of finish.

Shine Again ran the seven furlongs in 1:23.85, paid $4.70 as the second choice, and the $90,000 winner's share increased her lifetime bankroll to $996,220 for Mrs. Richard C. duPont's Bohemia Stable.