Personal Pro is king of N.Y. (breds)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That should be the motto of Personal Pro, who rallied from a good position just off the pace to win the $150,000 Albany Stakes for New York bred 3-year-olds at Saratoga.

Personal Pro, trained by H. James Bond and ridden by Edgar Prado, ran in all three legs of the Big Apple Triple series for New York breds, which also included the Mike Lee at Belmont and the New York Derby at Finger Lakes. He improved in every race, going from fourth in the Mike Lee to second in the New York Derby and finally getting over the hump in the Albany.

Personal Pro got the 1 1/8 miles in a time of 1:50.49 to win by 3 1/4-lengths over longshot Sherpa Guide in the field of 12 horses. The win was the first stakes win and third overall in Personal Pro's six-race career. Including the winner's share of $90,000, Personal Pro's career earning are now almost $188,000.

The win payoff was $13.60.

Sherpa Guide held on for second on a main track that was favorable to speed horses all day. He paid $31.60 to place after pressing a fast early pace set by stretchout horse Bluesbreaker The Personal Pro - Sherpa Guide exacta returned $431.50.