Smoke Till Dawn Sets Golden Gate Mark

Jockey David Lopez, who suffered a slight head concussion when he fell in a race Sunday, returned to ride claimer Smoke Till Dawn to a six-furlong track record at Golden Gate Fields Wednesday.

A 4-year-old Smokester gelding trained by co-owner William E. Morey, Smoke Till Dawn was clocked in 1:07.45.

Following a :21 1/5 opening quarter-mile, Smoke Till Dawn rolled to the front on the turn for home and went on to register a 4 ½-length win in the $16,000 claiming race. The 2-1 favorite in the seven-horse field paid $6.60, $3.60 and $2.20.

El Dorado Shooter set the old mark of 1:07.55 in the 2001 Montclair Handicap.

Trainer John F. Martin claimed Smoke Till Dawn Wednesday for owner Robert Bone. Former owners Bob Alternatt and Michael Culleton bred the winner.

Lopez was dumped in the stretch run of Sunday's seventh race at Golden Gate.

(Chart, Equibase)