Robert Mauhar Photo

Dylan Davis ties NYRA record with six-win effort, including Gander (NYB) victory at the Big A

by NYRA Press Office

Startwithsilver impresses in Broadway (NYB)

Jockey Dylan Davis' stellar winter meet continued on Sunday when he tied a New York Racing Association record by posting six wins, including five straight victories to start the card, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Davis, who recorded five wins on February 4 at the Big A, became the first jockey with a six-win day at a New York Racing Association track since Javier Castellano on November 9, 2013 at Aqueduct. The 23-year-old finished in the money in all nine of his mounts, adding a pair of runner-up finishes and a third-place effort.

All six of the Manhasset, New York native's wins came on non-favorites, including Nine Route's performance in the $100,000 Gander in Race 3. It was the second time in two weeks Davis posted a five-win day after he also accomplished the feat on February 4 at the Big A. Davis also won five races on a single card on June 28, 2013 at Indiana Grand.

Davis commenced his impressive afternoon by piloting Mo Flash ($9.80) to the win in Race 1 followed by Crimson Frost ($6.80) upsetting 4-5 favorite Full House in the second race.

"[It's] incredible," said Davis. "I really thought I was going to get this last one here. My eyes widened up and I was just trying, getting there, getting there and it was just not enough. But it was an incredible day. Never knew it was going to happen. New York is New York. To do the six winners, it is an incredible feat. With the big guys coming back, hopefully I have enough momentum to carry through a little better than I did last year."

Davis picked up his third win of the day in Race 3 with a gate-to-wire upset aboard August Dawn Farm's Nine Route in the Gander for New York-bred sophomores at a mile.

Davis took the 3-year-old The Factor colt straight to lead, taking the field of four through a comfortable quarter-mile in 23.91 seconds and a half in 48.20. Gio d'Oro settled about a length back in second, followed by Engineers Report and 1-5 favorite Empire Line.

Empire Line, ridden by Manny Franco, moved to the inside of Gio d'Oro and put in a run between horses as the field rounded the far turn but was no factor as Nine Route drew off to win by three lengths over Gio d'Oro. Empire Line was third, followed by Engineers Report. Evaluator was scratched.

The final time was 1:41.25. Off at 6-1, Nine Route returned $14.60 for a $2 win wager. The victory was the third lifetime for Nine Route, all over Aqueduct's main track. Sunday's win boosts Nine Route's career earnings to $127,448.

"He broke a step slow and I got a little worried, but once he got into stride, he took control and I got him to relax," said Davis. "He geared down and knew what he had to do turning for home. He handled [the sloppy track] better than the others and just got the job done."

Davis extended his streak by leading Dead Broke ($7.80) over a sloppy and sealed main track in Race 4.

In Race 5, Davis rode Getoffmyback and finished second by a head to Morning Buzz under jockey Manny Franco. Following an inquiry and Davis' objection for interference in the stretch, the stewards disqualified Morning Buzz to second and elevated Getoffmyback to first, improving Davis to 5-for-5.

Davis has 30 wins in the current Aqueduct meet, four more than Manny Franco in second. He posted his first career graded stakes win aboard Great Stuff in the Grade 3 Toboggan on January 27.

In Race 8, the $100,000 Broadway for New York-bred fillies and mares at six furlongs, Startwithsilver exploded over a sloppy and sealed main track to impressively win by six lengths.

Breaking from post 7 with Junior Alvarado aboard, Startwithsilver was comfortable at the back at the pack trailed as Sandy Belle led the field of six through swift fractions of 22.77 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.88 for the half.

The Linda Rice-trained Startwithsilver began her winning move at the quarter-pole, swinging out seven-wide and sent into a full drive in the upper stretch. She comfortably gained the lead at the eighth-pole and extending away to secure a six-length victory.

Her winning time for six furlongs was 1:11.44.

"You sit on her and wait for her to have the kick like she did last time, so that's what I did," said Alvarado, who picked up his second of three wins on the day aboard Startwithsilver as the only other jockey to win on the card besides Davis.

Returning $6.80 for a $2 win wager, the 5-year-old mare picked up her third consecutive victory and first stakes win. A perfect 3-for-3 at Aqueduct, she boosted her career earnings to $273,559 for owners Iris Smith Stable and Lady Shelia Stable.

Bee Noteworthy ridden by Dylan Davis finished second, followed by Picco Uno, Sandy Belle, Frosty Margarita and Shimmering Moon. Bree's Got Heart was scratched.