SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Sean Avery survived a furious rally by heavily favored Trappe Shot to win the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap by a nose and Tar Heel Mom scored an easy win in the $150,000 Honorable Miss Handicap for fillies and mares Sunday at Saratoga Race Course.
Joe Bravo rode the 17-1 Sean Avery through six furlongs in 1:08.71, earning $36.20, $10.00 and $6.30. Trappe Shot returned $2.80 and $2.10, and Calibrachoa, third of eight, paid $6.00.
The Allen Iwinski-trained Sean Avery won his fourth race in five starts this year, earning $150,000 for Black Swan Stable.
Tar Heel Mom was never threatened while covering six furlongs in 1:10.42, winning by 534 lengths over Beat the Blues. Champagne d’Oro was third of five.
Tar Heel Mom earned $90,000 for owner Alex Rankin and paid $5.70, $3.40 and $2.50.
