ELMONT, New York, CMC
Jamaican reinsman Rajiv Maragh kept up his pressure on the leaders when he landed a double at Belmont Park on Sunday.
Maragh, who lies third in the jockeys' championship, picked up wins aboard I'llthinkofsumthin in race five and Gold Vendetta in race eight, to move to 39 wins for the season.
His success started in the US$33 000, six-furlong event when he won handsomely with the three-year-old bay filly I'llthinkofsumthin.
He raced the filly along the inside in the early stages, but always remained in striking distance of pacesetter Karakorum Playmate who pushed the field through 22.63 seconds and 45.67 for the early fractions.
Maragh kept her in check before easing off the rails on the turn and making his bid. He caught Karakorum Playmate at the eighth pole and the filly ran on strongly under strong encouragement to reach the post by 2-1/4 lengths.
Maragh then reached the winners' enclosure with the bay gelding Gold Vendetta over six furlongs in an event worth US$49,000.
He settled the three-year-old just off the pace but had his progress slightly impeded in traffic on the turn. With early leader Karakorum Tornado tiring, Maragh split his rivals to get through an opening before drawing clear in the upper stretch.
Under steady urging, Gold Vendetta outpaced Please Impress to reach the post first.
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