Fog-Cutting Shine Again Takes Genuine Risk

Bohemia Stable's Shine Again and jockey Jean-Luc Samyn bolted past heavy favorite Carson Hollow near the eighth pole and drew off to win Sunday's $145,000 Geniune Risk Handicap (gr. II) for fillies and mares at fog-shrouded Belmont Park.

The 6-year-old daughter of Wild Again won her third consecutive race for trainer H. Allen Jerkens, defeating Carson Hollow by four lengths. Harmony Lodge was another 1 1/4 length behind in third in a field reduced to four.

A New Twist was fatally injured after flipping in the paddock prior to the race.

The winning time for the six-furlong Genuine Risk was 1:09 on a fast track.

Shine Again trailed while close to the pace set by Carson Hollow and John Velazquez into the stretch. Carson Hollow, a winner of six of nine career races, carved out fractions of :21 4/5, :44 2/5 and :56 2/5 while chased by Harmony Lodge and September Secret.

But Shine Again found room between horses and quickly assumed command in mid-stretch and pulled away.

"She ran great," exclaimed winning rider Jean-Luc Samyn. "She's all heart. We weren't too far off the pace and in a comfortable position. When I asked her, she responded. I get on her in the mornings, and she's a real pleasure to ride. She makes it all look easy."

Velazquez could find no fault with Carson Hollow: "I had the perfect trip - in front. She didn't do anything wrong today. She just didn't win."

Earning $90,000 for the victory, Shine Again won for the 14th time in 29 career starts. The grade I winner improved her career bankroll to $1,118,620.

"This feels great," said Jerkens. "She's such a kind mare. She's put together a real nice career for us. We were able to beat a good field that had some fast fillies in it."

Mrs. Richard C. duPont bred Shine Again in Maryland.

The winner paid $6.20 and $2.10. Carson Hollow, the 3-5 choice, returned $2.10. There was no show wagering. The $2 exacta was worth $11.

A New Twist, a 4-year-old filly by Storm Cat, had five wins and four seconds in 11 career starts and earnings of $284,415 for owner Lucille Conover. John Kimmel trained her.

Said NYRA Veterinarian Dr. Celeste Kunz: "She flipped over and fractured the base of her skull. There was nothing we could do. She died instantly."

(Chart, Equibase)