Voodoo took the lead on the turn for home and nobody came close to him in the stretch as he won the $112,700 Sport Page Handicap (gr. III) at Belmont Park by 2 1/2 lengths over Bowman's Band, the 6-5 favorite.Voodoo, under Jorge Chavez, won the 7-furlong sprint for older horses in 1:22 over the fast track as the second choice in the field of nine. After disposing of pacesetting Bishop Court Hill after a half mile in :45 2/5, Voodoo drew away from the field when roused by Chavez and led by 4 1/2 lengths in the stretch while driving over the late-arriving Bowman's Band, ridden by Ramon Dominguez."When you get after him out of the gate he gets tough," said winning trainer Jimmy Jerkens. "He's run some big races and it's rewarding to get a stakes win in him."Added Chavez: "He relaxed early and I think that was the key. He was comfortable. He responded when I asked him and had more than enough left. It was an impressive effort."Voodoo - a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred chestnut gelding by Petionville, out of Slide Show (Slewacide) - earned $67,620 for owners Susan and John Moore. He is now 7-2-5 from 21 starts with earnings of $434,356.The winner paid $10.60, $4.20 and $3.30. Bowman's Band returned $3 and $2.50. Highway Prospector, under Shaun Bridgmohan, finished third and paid $3.60.Allen Jerkens is the trainer of Bowman's Band: "He hung a little, but ran good. The winner got away from everybody."
(Chart, Equibase)
