Manny Franco posts five-win day
by NYRA Press Office
ELMONT, N.Y. - Jockey Manny Franco rode five winners on Friday at Belmont Park, including the first four races on Friday's eight-race card.
"Thankfully, I got on good horses today with good chances," said Franco, who had a mount in each race on the card. "I just tried to work out good trips, ride good races and take advantage when I have good mounts. I'm always trying to do my best and it really worked out today."
Franco notched his second five-win day at a New York Racing Association (NYRA) track adding to his first which occurred March 11, 2018 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
NYRA's leading rider in 2018, Franco piloted Other Things Equal to a victory in the opening race, returning $9 on a $2 win wager.
In the second race, A Freud of Mama paid $12.60 her 1 ½-length win. Franco continued his hot streak with his first win aboard a favorite with Makin' Out ($5.10) winning Race 3 at one mile on Big Sandy.
Franco extended his streak to 4-for-4 when My Sassy Sarah captured a six-furlong turf sprint, returning $6.60. He captured his fifth win of the day aboard Jc's Shooting Star ($5.60) in Race 7.
The 24-year-old native of Carolina, Puerto Rico became the first NYRA jockey to post five wins on a single card since Irad Ortiz, Jr. did it on July 31 at Saratoga Race Course.
Franco doubled his total to 10 wins for the fall meet, taking over the leaderboard's top spot ahead of Joel Rosario.
Live racing resumes on Saturday at Belmont with an 11-race card highlighted by the $200,000 Pebbles in Race 10. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.
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