THE DAY AT THE RACES
New York sure hasn’t opened its arms for I’ll Have Another.
First, he's not allowed to wear a nasal strip in the Belmont Stakes. Then the state delayed the arrival of his exercise rider Jonny Garcia because of paperwork issues.
Then the NYRA threw another curveball at him with the new detention barn policy. Finally, retired jockey Richard
Migliore will have to pay $5 to get an exercise rider's license before getting on Lava Man to help educate and familiarize jockey Mario
Gutierrez with Belmont’s unique
layout.
TRIPPED UP: Apprentice Alex Canchari brought home his first winner in New York and it came with plenty of controversy. Aboard
Dr. Wesley in the fourth race, Canchari sent the 3-year-old gelding to the front and turned for home with the lead. In the stretch,
Karma Shield appeared to have dead aim on Dr. Wesley, but Dr. Wesley drifted out into that one’s path, causing him to steady and allowing Dr. Wesley to hold on. There was no stewards' inquiry, but jockey Javier Castellano, aboard Karma Shield, claimed foul against the winner. Tthe stewards let the order alone, saying, “It didn't affect the outcome.” I’d have to disagree and would have reversed the result. Canchari, 18, was riding at Arlington Park, where he brought home five winners and now has 26 in his young career. It wouldn't surprise me if the stewards give him days for careless riding.
After being headed in the lane by favored Nicole H, C C's Pal ($5.70) came back under Junior
Alvarado to take the $200,000 Grade II Vagrancy Handicap by a neck. The two faced each other last week in the $150,000 My Juliet Stakes from Parx, where C C's Pal was just two noses better than Nicole H, when they finished second and fourth, respectively, behind Winning Image. SATURDAY'S CARD: 1ST: Canchari sent My Girl Gracie right to the front from the start and turned for home in front before the 4-year-old filly took a funny step and was eased as chalk Karma Police prevailed under Ramon Dominguez. My Girl Gracie had a splint applied to her right front leg and was vanned off but had to be euthanized.