SMOKIN HERO TO BATTLE OLDER HORSES
Contact: David Mattice
Publicity Dept.
585-924-3232 x234
FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Smokin Hero will battle older horses in the third renewal of the $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial Handicap which is scheduled to run on Saturday at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. He defeated restricted 3-year-old rivals in the fastest six furlong time of the season in his last start at Finger Lakes on August 1.
The Chris Englehart-trainee’s final time of 1:09.25 shattered the record for the $50,000 Ontario County Stakes by one full second. He accomplished the feat while competing in a race at Finger Lakes for the first time. The gelding owned by Brous Stable, R. D. Hubbard, and Wachtel Stable has won four of his eleven career starts and has amassed a total of $155,315 in lifetime earnings. Jockey John Davila, Jr. will be aboard the 5-2 second choice in the morning line.
Too Tough Pete is the 123-pound highweight for the six furlong sprint. The 4-year-old gelding won a Finger Lakes allowance race on July 19 while making his first start for new owner John Salvato who claimed him for $15,000 on June 5. The 7-5 program choice for Saturday’s feature has scored victories in seven of his nine starts around the Finger Lakes oval. Jockey Dean Frates will be in the irons of the $130,137 earner for trainer Michael S. Ferraro.
The $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial Handicap, formerly the Wine Country Handicap, was established in 1973. The name was changed in remembrance of the Finger Lakes employee who tragically lost his life on November 19, 2005.
The event for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up is scheduled as the eighth of Saturday’s nine race card. Gaming doors open at 10:00 a.m. and racing gates open at 11:30 a.m.
