Yavapai Downs track report

Suspicious Minds may be an 8-year-old now, but there is still plenty of gas in the tank. The veteran runner ran his career record to 14 wins in 61 starts with an easy gate-to-wire victory in the $15,000 Les Mackin Handicap at Yavapai Downs on Tuesday.

Sent off the 8-5 favorite, Suspicious Minds jumped right out to the lead in the mile event for 3-year-olds and upward, had to endure some pressure from Henry Higgins, managed to dispatch that foe into the lane, and drew off to win by nearly three lengths. Ridden by Jake Barton for owner/trainer David Wolochuk, Suspicious Minds set a modest pace despite being under pressure and was timed in 1:35. The $8,250 first-place check pushed his career earnings to more than $386,000. He paid $5.20 as the 122-pound highweight.

* Miguel Hernandez continues to lead the way in the jockey standings. Buoyed by a five-win day on opening weekend, Hernandez had 22 victories in 83 mounts through Monday, six more than Berkley Packer. Carl Williams is next with 12 wins, three wins ahead of a triumvirate at nine (Jocelyne Martin-Kenny, Kristina Kenney, and Adolfo Rodriguez).

Justin Evans continues to pace the trainers. His 11 wins put him four ahead of Bill Brashears, who is followed by Sarina Obergfell, Chad Ferguson, and Jon Zimmerman (five each). Those five are also hitting at high percentages this meet: Obergfell has won at a 31 percent clip; Evans, 30 percent; Ferguson and Zimmerman, both 26 percent; and Brashears, 24 percent.

Another trainer of interest is James Thompson. He has had just three starters this meet, but all three have greeted him in the winner's circle.