Jim Tafel’s Afford,
away alertly but allowed to trail the field early, commenced a rally
outside the leaders when set down for the drive, challenged Gary and
Mary West’s
Tiz Moe in the final sixteenth and proved best by a
nose at the wire in Thursday’s $49,000 allowance and $30,000 optional
claiming feature for sophomores at Fair Grounds.
Trained by
Greg Geier and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, the winner paid mutuels of $6.40, $3 and $2.80, accomplished the mile and 70-yard distance in 1:42.55 and increased his career
earnings to $57,800 with his second win in four lifetime starts.
Tiz
Moe, unhurried early, rallied when set down for the drive, gained the
advantage briefly late but could not withstand the winner. Coupled
in the wagering with Gary and Mary West’s Fire Alarm, who finished
third two and a quarter lengths behind him, the Bret Calhoun-trained
entry paid $2.20 and $2.10.
Robert Cartwright’s
Alexander Thegreat made the pace with splits of 23.64 and 46.86 before weakening late.
Racing resumes Friday at Fair Grounds with a 10-race program beginning with a
special late 5 p.m. post time in the third of six
Starlight Racing programs of the 2011-2012 New Orleans racing season.