Turfway: Bejarano strikes again

FLORENCE, Ky. - One day after riding a record-equaling six winners at Turfway, jockey Rafael Bejarano continued his dominance of winter racing in Kentucky by scoring a wire-to-wire victory aboard Silver Minister in the $50,000 .

Riding his fourth winner on the card, Bejarano hustled favored Silver Minister to the front soon after the break and had little trouble establishing a clear lead. Silver Minister raced through fractions of 22.69 seconds and 45.74, and drew away under an aggressive hand ride to score by five lengths. He raced 6 1/2 furlongs over a muddy track in 1:17.87 and paid $3.80.

Degenerate Gambler stalked the early pace and rallied for second, a neck in front of Rayvo's Beau. Completing the order of finish were Dollar a Dip, Man of Conquest, Comic Pride, and Roaring Along. Patriot Station was scratched.

A 3-year-old son of Silver Deputy trained by Greg Foley, Silver Minister won for the second time in four starts. He has earned over $63,000 for his owners, Lloyd Madison Farms IV, who purchased him for $20,000 in the 2002 September yearling sale at Keeneland.

The win was the second consecutive Turfway Prevue won by Lloyd Madison Farms IV and Foley. They took the 2003 running with Champali.