Bridgmohan misses out in stakes, but wins two
HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas (CMC) — Jamaican jockey Shaun Bridgmohan was unplaced in two stakes appearances but copped a pair of wins at Oaklawn Park racetrack on Saturday afternoon.
Spending the day away from Fair Grounds in New Orleans where he is currently the leading rider, Bridgmohan mounted the fancied War Echo for top trainer Steve Asmussen in the Azeri Stakes but placed fifth.
He was eighth in the Razorback Stakes astride the outsider Mad Flatter but scored wins for Asmussen in the first and eighth races on the 10-race card.
In the US$15,500 first race over 5-1/2 furlongs, Bridgmohan steered the 3-5 favourite Tibi to a four-length victory in one minute, 06.46 seconds.
Bridgmohan completed his double in the US$38,000 eighth race over six furlongs, scoring with the 7-2 bet Fayoum by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:11.56.
In the US$150,000 Razorback Stakes over 1-1/16th miles Mad Flatter showed speed early under Bridgmohan before fading to finish last in the eight-horse field.
Bridgmohan suffered some traffic problems with the favourite War Echo (5-2) in the US$150,000 Azeri Stakes over 1-1/16th miles.
He rallied to enter the homestretch fifth but could not improve his position and finished 7-1/4 lengths behind the winner Freedom Star (3-1) with Calvin Borel up.
In spite of missing Saturday’s Fair Grounds card, Bridgmohan kept his lead in the competitive jockeys’ standings there as nearest rival James Graham picked up just one victory.
With three weeks remaining in the Fair Grounds season, Bridgmohan has 63 wins to lead Graham (58) and other contenders John Jacinto (53) and Jamie Theriot (51).