Santa Rosa: Goggles McCoy wins Jess Jackson on DQ

Goggles McCoy ($23.20), using a new strategy of not gunning for the lead early, won the $68,640 Jess Jackson Owners’ Handicap on Saturday at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa when favored Ain’t No Other was disqualified from first to third.

Ain’t No Other broke on top and discouraged Sierra Spirit on the lead of the speed-laden five-furlong turf race. He drifted out leaving the furlong pole causing Starboardlights to steady and bringing the comment from track announcer Michael Wrona that he had “drifted out, inconveniencing Starboardlights.”

Earlier in the stretch, Goggles McCoy bumped with Starboardlights as he tried to shift outside Ain't No Other. He dropped back inside after the bump and wasn’t involved in the incident when Ain’t No Other drifted out and forced jockey Aaron Gryder to steady Starboardlights.

Ain’t No Other, ridden by Juan Hernandez, clocked 57.52 for the five furlongs. He was 1 3/4 lengths in front of Goggles McCoy. Starboardlights was another 1 1/4 lengths back.

Goggles McCoy broke a bit slowly and wasn’t rushed by jockey Abel Cedillo, but ended up in a good stalking position behind Ain’t No Other and Sierra Spirit.

Starboardlights ranged up beside him on the turn and briefly had his head in front of Goggles McCoy into the stretch.

Goggles McCoy, a Thomas Shapiro homebred trained by Steve Sherman, earned $41,550 in scoring his second stakes victory. The In Excess gelding, who was making his turf debut, has won 6 of 10 starts and has career earnings of $201,930.