Stanley wins tight race for leading rider

Jockey Angel Stanley finished two wins in front of Jeffrey Skerrett, 100-98, to claim the riding title at Pinnacle Race Course, which concluded its meet on Monday.

Stanley started the final day leading by one. He won three races on the card, with Skerrett winning twice, including one race by disqualification. They went into the last race with Skerrett looking for a tie. Stanley rallied for a neck win on Foxy Missy ($11.80) to claim the title.

There was much less drama in the race for leading trainer. Robert Gorham took the lead on Day 1 and lapped the field en route to his second title in the track's two years of operation. On Monday, Gorham won the sixth race with his own Leaving Bagdad for his 83rd win at the meet, 47 more than his nearest rival. Most of his wins came for owner Henry Mast.

w Divisional winners were named by announcer Matt Hook. Valley Loot repeated as the top older mare at the meet. Like the other champions, she won her division of the Michigan Sire Stakes on Oct. 10. Owner Felicia Campbell, the CEO of Pinnacle, also picked up the trophy for 3-year-old colt Romeo Again, whom she owns in partnership. Ronnie Allen trains both runners.

Trainer Larry Uelmen was represented by the fillies Hakuna Matata and Hustle Now. The 3-year-old Hakuna Matata is owned by White Lake Farms Inc. Hustle Now, a 2-year-old, belongs to Sheffield Farms.

The top juvenile male is Hour by Hour, trained by James Jackson for his wife, Laura, and breeder Valerie Irvine.

Bipolar Express, who was claimed away from trainer Gerald Bennett, before being claimed back for the Sire Stakes, grabbed the award for the top older male. Mary Bennett, who races as Winning Stables, Inc., is the owner.

The special Shamanuu award was given to Lazy Nathan, the only five-time winner at the meet. Trained by Sandy Adkins for Charlie Williams, he also had two seconds from his eight starts.