10 Abr. USA. Count Fleet Sprint H. G3. Oaklawn. 6f. Dirt. 150.000 $
1.- SEMAPHORE MAN (T.Doocy)
2.- JUNIOR COLLEGE (E.Razo Jr.)
3.- LOVANGO (L.Quinonez)


Semaphore Man dug in after being confronted near early stretch by multiple stakes winner Junior College and earned his first graded stakes victory with a 1 1/4-length win in the $150,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) on Thursday at Oaklawn Park.

The 2007 Count Fleet runner-up, Semaphore Man was positioned three wide by jockey Tim Doocy through an opening quarter in :21.69. Opening a head lead through a half-mile in :44.82, the Formal Gold gelding increased his advantage in the closing strides and gamely prevailed.

Double Bogey Stable’s Semaphore Man was positioned on the outside of Saalb and Piratesonthelake at the start. Quickly gaining command, Semaphore Man was briefly headed near upper stretch by Junior College.

Battling back approaching the finish, Semaphore Man won the six-furlong race in 1:09.78 on a track rated wet-fast.

Grade 3-placed stakes winner Lovango finished third, a neck behind Junior College.

Kelly Von Hemel trains Semaphore Man, who entered off a runner-up finish in the Duncan F. Kenner Stakes on March 8 at Fair Grounds. The dark bay or brown gelding outran runner-up Junior College by 2 3/4 lengths to win the King Cotton Stakes on February 2 at Oaklawn.

Six-year-old Semaphore Man posted his first stakes win in the 2007 King Cotton.

Earning his seventh win in 21 starts, Semaphore Man increased his earnings to $397,110. Bred in Kentucky, Semaphore Man is out of multiple stakes winner Semaphore Ms., by Lost Code.