Jockey Cornelio
Velasquez won the fifth race at Aqueduct Saturday afternoon to earn his second
career riding title on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit,
while Linda Rice and David Jacobson dead-heated atop the trainer standings at
the conclusion of the Big A’s 18-day spring meet.
By bringing home Able Bellamy
($5.30), Velasquez was able to hold onto his narrow lead over Ramon Dominguez,
who had a pair of winners Saturday, and finish the meet with 25 victories to
Dominguez’s 24. The 42-year-old Panamanian, who remained in New York over the winter rather than traveling to
Florida as in
previous years, took the lead among riders on April 7 when he brought home four
winners en route to denying Dominguez his 14th individual NYRA meet
title.
Velasquez’ previous meet title
came in 2007 at Saratoga Race Course.
Rice, who became the first woman
trainer to win a NYRA meet in 2010 at Saratoga Race Course, and Jacobson, who
returned to training in 2007 after a 25-year absence, each saddled nine winners
during the meet.
Michael Dubb, New York’s leading owner
in 2010, was the meet’s leading owner with five victories.
With the
conclusion of Aqueduct’s spring meet, racing moves to Belmont Park beginning Friday, April 29, for the
56-day spring/summer meet that runs through July 17. On most days, gates open at
11 a.m. and first post is at 1 p.m. General parking is free, except on Belmont
Stakes Day, Saturday, June 11. Visit www.NYRA.com for more
information.