For Immediate Release Contact:
July 21, 2012 Christian Teja
(857) 231-6788
cteja@suffolkdowns.com
MISCOE GRAY WINS THE $50,000 RISE JIM STAKES; PIERMARINI WINS THREE
EAST BOSTON, MA - Miscoe Gray and Jorge Vargas pulled off the front-running upset in the $50,000 Rise Jim Stakes on Saturday, July 21 at Suffolk Downs, completing six furlongs in 1:12 over a field of 11 Massachusetts-bred rivals.
Trained by Tom McCooey, Jr., the Nine Maple Farm homebred son of Cozzene broke well and secured a spot on the rail and led every step of the way, saving enough to hold off Same Day Pleasure.
"I just saw that speed was holding," said Vargas. "I knew I had to take advantage of that and I had the horse to do it."
Miscoe Gray was named New England's champion juvenile in 2010 and this win was his second lifetime score. Miscoe Gray returned $38.40, 15.40 and 10.60. Same Day Pleasure paid $9.20 and 6.80 while Gorgeous Silk returned $8.20.
Leading rider Tammi Piermarini had three winners on the card. She started her triple with a win in the second aboard Bucks Wink ($6.80) for Lloyd Lockhart. She followed that up in the fourth with former New England champion grass mare PJs Lil Toni ($4.40) for Pat Vassallo and captured the tenth race with Cowgirls First ($13.60) for Keith Sargent.
With 2,136 career wins, Piermarini is one away from tying Patti Cooksey for third all-time among female riders. Julie Krone is first with 3,704, followed by Rosemary Homeister (2,524), who is currently riding at Arlington Park.
-30-
<<07-21-12 Miscoe Gray wins Rise Jim Stakes, Piermarini wins three.doc>>
