Royally-bred Calimonco, a full brother to 2004 champion juvenile
filly Sweet Catomine, held on gamely in the final strides to nose out
John Johny Jak and win Wednesday’s featured $92,040 Wickerr Stakes for
older Thoroughbreds.
Calimonco, an under-achieving son of Storm Cat and Sweet Life whose
most recent triumph in a dozen starts was a year ago at Woodbine in
Toronto, Canada, was ridden by Victor Espinoza. The latter was able to
compete today after escaping with a minor ankle injury in Sunday’s final
race in which his mount was fatally injured.
Calimonco, owned by and bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. Martin Wygod
and trained by John Sadler, ran the mile distance over the infield
Jimmy Durante Turf Course in 1:34.07 as he barely edged out John Johny
Jak and jockey Joel Rosario. Victory Pete was third, only another neck
back in third with 2-1 favored Blue Chagall, the 2010 winner, running
fourth.
Calimonco went postward an outsider in the wagering and returned
$43.40, $21 and $12.40 while earning first money of $55,224 with his
fourth victory in 24 career races. His earnings now total $240,466.
John Johny Jak, an 11-1 longshot, paid $14 and $8.80, while Victory Pete paid $5.20 to show.
Today’s attendance was 14,617.