Migliore Guides Afrashad to Fall Highweight Win

(edited track report)
Jockey Richard Migliore, who recently moved to California, returned to Aqueduct Thursday to take Godolphin Racing's favored Afrashad gate to wire in winning the $108,300 Fall Highweight Handicap under 132 pounds on a sloppy sealed track.

Migliore, who has more than 4,000 career wins - most coming in New York - guided Afrashad to a 1 1/4-length win in his only mount on the card. The final time was 1:11 for the six furlongs.

Migliore let Afrashad glide up to the lead, although jockey Rudy Rodriguez tried his best to send Kazoo to the front from outside post 8. Kazoo had purpose, in that he was here to assure a pace for closing stablemate Mr. Whitestone.

Afrashad, a 4-year-old Smoke Glacken colt, easily clicked off fractions of :22.63; :46.23 and :58.36. Although he appeared to briefly lose interest mid-stretch, allowing top-weighted Sir Greeley (134) to make up ground, Afrashad came home comfortably for his fifth win in seven career starts while increasing his earnings to $179,638.

Sir Greeley finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Introspect.

"I really wasn't concerned with the `rabbit' factor today," said Migliore, who ran third with Afrashad here in the seven-furlong Sport Page Handicap (gr. III) Nov. 4. "At seven-eighths, it was a concern. Three-quarters of a mile, this horse can run the whole way. You don't send him, but he really doesn't rate. He's an extremely fast horse."

Assistant trainer Rick Mettee saddled Afrashad, who set the stage for stablemate Discreet Cat to add to Godolphin's fortunes when he runs in Saturday's $300,000 Hill `n' Dale Cigar Mile (gr. I). Having done his job, Afrashad will be sent to Payson Park in Indiantown, Fla. on Tuesday for a break.

Afrashad paid $4.30, $3.10, and $2.60 as the 11-10 favorite. Sir Greeley returned $3.10 and $2.70. Introspect paid $4.10 to show.

Mr. Whitestone was fourth, followed by Crafty Cammack and Kazoo. Ironton and Lucky Gamble were scratched.

(Chart, Equibase)