Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens was one of 114 passengers aboard the Delta jetliner that made an emergency landing last night in Cincinnati just a few minutes after it took off. The landing was forced because of an electrical fire on board.
“An alarm went off and they announced it was a small fire in the baggage compartment,” said Stevens, who rode Capsized and Stephen Got Even yesterday at Belmont. “We landed smoothly and did the whole emergency bit of sliding down the side of the plane.”
Stevens was supposed to arrive at LaGuardia at 9 p.m. Friday but didn’t get to New York until 4:30 yesterday morning. Stevens was presented with the Mike Venezia award prior to the running of the first race.
1ST RACE – Bensonhurst Bull set the pace with Big Steel chasing in second. Go Go Sweep rated off the pace while wide. Turning for home, Bensonhurst Bull was tiring and the rest of the field was catching up. Flo’s Double made a wide move and closed powerfully in the middle of the track to gain the lead in the stretch. He then held off Alexthethird, who split horses to reach contention, for the victory.
2ND RACE – The smart money showed in the early double and in the win pool and Lord Aly did not disappoint as he won at first asking. He pressed the early pace, took the lead midway around the turn and drew off in the stretch for the victory, despite racing wide and bearing out slightly. Storm The Gate was last early, made a nice move on the turn on the inside and then angled outside at the top of the stretch. He closed well to be second despite being very wide. Papa P. was rank leaving the gate and raced wide throughout.
3RD RACE – Country Only broke sharply and set the pace despite racing wide. She had a lengthy lead into the turn, but Polish Miner was on the move. Entering the stretch, Polish Miner was on even terms with Country Only. Polish Miner had plenty left and drew off to an easy victory. Highest Praise jumped up at the start but closed well to be second. King Of The Jungle bore in badly at the start. Bare Outline stumbled at the start.
4TH RACE – Johnny Legit has been a different horse since Lasix was removed and then the blinkers removed. He raced close to the pace, made a three wide move on the turn and drew off in the stretch for the victory. Known Crown set the early pace and held on very well to be second.
5TH RACE – Darwin stalked the early leaders, but Mike Smith saw an opening at the rail on the turn and took the lead. He looked strong turning for home. Traditionally started his run and was moving strong in the stretch and caught Darwin near the wire for the victory. Favored Barrage raced wide and close to the pace but never threatened for the lead in the stretch. Broadway Barney was close early, fell back, came on again and then dropped to the rail before flattening out.
6TH RACE – Brushed On set the pace and was not pressured early. But then entering the turn the rest of field started to put heavy pressure on him. Master O Foxhounds and Puncher raced wide but went to the front in the stretch. The two raced as a team to the wire with Puncher getting there first.