Risky Rachel delivered trainer Juan Coronel his first ever win at Saratoga Race Course when she ran six furlongs faster than five other fillies in the $100,000 Union Avenue Stakes.

She covered the six furlongs in a time of 1:09.02 and paid $3.40 for the win.

“I am very excited [to win a race at Saratoga], finally, after two seconds, [place finishes]” Coronel said. “I have been waiting for this moment for so long. Last time, there was too much speed in the beginning. That cost us the race. In the beginning, it was difficult because there were a couple of horses with a lot of speed. Javier knows the filly, too. He broke good. He’s a great rider. He did very well.”

Javier Castellano was the winning rider.

“I was looking to be right behind the lead, and it worked out great for me because I didn’t want to dictate the pace. I wanted to let someone else [lead]. She was able to relax today and make a strong run. I was very satisfied with the way she did it; it was a great performance today.”

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Suns Out Guns Out took the opener going nine furlongs on the dirt in 1:50.17. He paid just $3.60 for the win. Tiz Yankee came in second with Flashy Sunrise in third.

Race 2 was won by Mineswept ($6.30), seven furlongs on the dirt in 1:22.12. He defeated Precious Metal and Tug of War.

Race 3 was a maiden tussle going a mile on the inner turf. Rangey took the contest in a time of 1:36.41 and paid $4.90 for the win. Here Comes Drz came in second with Santonio d’Oro in third.

Half Wildcat won the 5 ½-furlong turf sprint in a time of 1:03.21. He paid $12.20 for the win. Everydoghashisday took second with Birchwood Road getting third.

To the sixth race, 1 1/16^th miles on the inner turf was won by Jimmy Simms. He paid $4.70 for the win with Midnite Silver and Voodoo Storm rounding out the trifecta.

Notacatbutallama with John Velazquez up won the 1 1/16^th mile turf race for maidens in a time of 1:43.67. Irish Jade and Arctic Missile came in second and third.

Race 8, nine furlongs on the dirt, was won by Holiday’s Jewel ($19.80) in a time of 1:49.47. She defeated Geisha Gal and Conquesta.

Little Drama won the ninth race running seven furlongs in 1:21.98 and paid $4.50. Zero Rate Policy and Gallant Fields rounded out the ticket.

The closing race of the card was won by Grand Rapport going 1 3/16^th miles on the turf in 1:53.26. Pocket Cowboys took second and Elder Skatesman finished third.

Brendan O'Meara is the Author of "Six Weeks in Saratoga: How Three-Year-Old Filly Rachel Alexandra Beat the Boys and Became Horse of the Year"
www.twitter.com/brendanomeara

Photo Credit: NYRA / Adam Mooshian