It was a crowded Saratoga Race Course on Sunday afternoon with a paid attendance of 70,792, but Dave and jockey Jose Santos found plenty of room in the lane, coming away with a one-length victory in the $113,600 West Point Handicap on the turf for New York-breds.It was the second win in four days for Joseph W. Gerrity Jr.'s Dave, a 4-year-old Ends Well gelding who won a one-mile grass allowance by a length here on Wednesday. He benefited from a dream trip in the 1 1/8-mile West Point, which was completed in 1:48 on a "good" inner turf course."He got through on the rail on the backside, stayed out of trouble, and got clear of the others," said trainer John Hertler, after Dave stalked a quick pace of :22 4/5; :46 and 1:09 4/5 set by Provincetown, who was pressed early by Redefined. "I loved that hot pace. I was a little concerned about the four days rest, but he came back fresh and good and I took a shot."Dave also got a break when favored Certifiably Crazy fanned jockey John Velazquez wide in the early stages of the race and carried out two other rivals. Dave paid $18.20, $8.10, and $4.90.Certifiably Crazy ($3.40), ridden by John Velazquez, finished third, a neck behind Provincetown ($6.40, $4.50) and Chantel Sutherland.Dave brought Santos home for the fourth win of his 19-race career, earning $68,160 for his owner and breeder and bringing his career bankroll to $218,140. "It is obvious that he was still sharp off that win four days ago," Santos said. "He has become a much better horse coming off the pace. He showed that again today. We were in good position along the inside, and once we got through, we opened up and that was it."Completing the order of finish was Dont Knock America, Redefined, Lukelynn, Blues Highway, Sicilian Boy, and Wing Man.
(Chart, Equibase)
