(Chart, Equibase)
Longshot Multiple Choice, never worse than third at Aqueduct, romped to a 7 1/4-length win over a sloppy track in Saturday's $110,000 Sports Page Handicap (gr.III).Multiple Choice, bumped on the backstretch of the seven-furlong Sports Page, raced close up early and rallied four wide on the turn. He drew even with Sing Me Back Home early in the stretch and drew away while ridden out to the wire by Victor Carrero. Favored Bowman's Band was outrun early, raced wide and rallied outside of Sing Me Back Home to get second money by a half-length. A disappointing sixth in a field of seven runners for the Forest Hills at Belmont last time out, Multiple Choice was timed in 1:23.28. The early fractions were 22.85, 46.01, 1:10.68 and 1:23.28.The winning purse was worth $66,840 to owner and breeder Peter E. Blum in Kentucky. Multiple Choice is a 4-year-old bay colt by Mt. Livermore from Lady of Choice , by Storm Bird."He's been knocking on the door and running in a lot of tough races," said winning trainer Jimmy Jerkens. "He liked the slop, usually Mt. Livermores do. I think the wind had something to do with it. The wind shifted and was really against the speed. There was a big strong headwind down the backside."Sent off at 15-1 in the field of eight, Multiple Choice paid $32.80, $11.20 and $7.20. Bowman's Band returned $4.10 and $3. Sing Me Back Home paid $8.20. The $2 exacta was $138.50.