Velazquez Earns Five Wins, Ties Saratoga Record

Jockey John Velazquez booted home Starine to win the eighth race at Saratoga Sunday, giving the rider his fifth winner on the day. The five wins equals the record for wins on one card by a jockey at the upstate New York track held by Julie Krone, Mike Smith, Ron Turcotte, Jerry Bailey, and Angel Cordero Jr.

"You never expect a day like this," Velazquez said after his fifth victory. "You have to be on the right horses."

The day began well for Velazquez, who guided Czardas Dancer ($10.60) to a 7 3/4-length winner in the opener. After finishing third in the second race, Velazquez struck again in the third race aboard Star Attraction ($8.10) and the fourth on Boodles ($11.20). Velazquez was without a mount in the fifth but returned to the winner's circle following the sixth race, in which he guided Atomizer ($37.40) to a 2 1/2-length win. He finished third in the seventh on favored Excitabull Trick before tying the record in the eighth aboard Starine ($6.80).

"I came to the races with a good attitude," Velazquez said. "I was going to try my best and see what comes out of the races. Everything worked out the way it was supposed to." (Charts, Equibase)