TurfPublicists: VELAZQUEZ SWEEPS EARLY PICK 4, WINS FIVE

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Contact: Ashley Herriman

VELAZQUEZ SWEEPS EARLY PICK 4, WINS FIVE

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey John Velazquez swept the early Pick 4 en route to an five-win day at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday.

After narrowly missing aboard his mount in the first race, Velazquez broke a pair of maidens in races 2 and 3, piloting 2-year-old Curlinello ($5.40) and 3-year-old We Need V L T's ($12.60) both to neck victories. In race 4, Velazquez rode favored Callide Valley ($4.20) to a 10 ¼-length allowance victory before completing a sweep of the early Pick 4 aboard Morning Line ($6.50), who crossed the wire 11 lengths in front. Velazquez picked up a fifth winner in race 9, prevailing by a half-length atop Zapster ($7.50).

The early Pick 4 paid $213.

Velazquez, 38, holds the record for most wins in a single day at Saratoga, stringing together six victories at the Spa on September 3, 2001. With 37 victories through the close of racing on Saturday – including a four-win day on Sunday, August 8 – he holds the lead in the Saratoga jockey standings.

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