Talk to Me Jimmy won the 53rd running of the $164,000 New York Derby for 3-year-old New York-breds at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack on Monday.
The colt covered the mile-and-one-sixteenth feature in 1:46.67 after pressing Sculcos Folly throughout the race. The pair battled from start to finish before Talk to Me Jimmy pulled away in the stretch to win by one-and-one-quarter lengths.
Ridden by Manuel Franco and trained by Rudy Rodriguez, Talk to Me Jimmy improved his career earnings to $317,000 for owners SEI Thoroughbreds, Rodriguez, and Michael Imperio. The victory marked his second career stakes win. He returned $4.36 and $2.10, while runner-up Sculcos Folly paid $2.10.
Earlier on the card, Venetta captured the $75,000 New York Oaks for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies.
Trained by Danny Gargan and ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, the Sequel Stables-owned filly completed the mile-and-one-sixteenth race in 1:46.19. She drew away to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths and paid $3.54, $2.34, and $2.10. Victory Hall finished second and returned $4.46 and $2.84, while Careless Whisper was third and paid $2.10.
In the Leon Reed Memorial Stakes, Yo Banana Boy cruised to a three-and-three-quarter-length victory under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.
The Michael Maker trainee, owned by Robert Krattiger, completed the race in 1:10.24. The winner, now with career earnings of $293,639, paid $4.58, $3.00, and $3.50. Ten Cent Town finished second and returned $3.32 and $4.24, while Crypto Causeway closed to finish third and paid $8.34.
Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack continues its live thoroughbred racing season with cards every Monday through Wednesday. First post each race day is 12:55 p.m.
