FAIRPLEX : Trainer Has Magic Touch in Shepherd

Trainer Vladimir Cerin sent out his fifth consecutive winner at Fairplex Park on Saturday, and he did it while flat on his back at home.

Cerin was at his Arcadia home when Nancys French Fry rallied to win the $50,000-guaranteed Phil D. Shepherd Stakes for the second consecutive year. It was the fifth victory in five tries for Cerin, 40, during the first three days of the Los Angeles County Fair meet, which he led with 10 victories from 21 starters last year.

Nancys French Fry was ridden by David Flores, who rode three winners. Flores, 27, has eight victories this meet and 235 lifetime at Fairplex. He needs 14 victories to surpass career leader Francisco Mena’s 248.

Nancys French Fry paid $5.20 to win as the 8-5 favorite in the field of five older horses going 1 1/16 miles. He covered the distance over a fast track in 1:43 3/5 under 117 pounds and won by 4 1/2 lengths.

Straight To Bed ran gamely to take second under Martin Pedroza and Flying Sensation finished third. Warning Label and Patriotaki completed the order of finish.

It was the 10th victory in 37 starts for Nancys French Fry, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by French Legionaire. He earned $27,500 for owners Rick and Marie Fritts of Riverside.

“The race set up perfectly because I thought no one would run with Straight To Bed,” said Flores, who won the 37th stakes of his career at the Pomona track to lead all jockeys.

“Even though it was a small field, I wanted to go around horses because sometimes you can get into trouble. The best way was to go outside, and that’s what I did.”

Total attendance was 21,849, of which 8,420 was on track.

Racing continues at Fairplex Park today, with the $50,000-guaranteed E.B. Johnston Stakes the feature of a 12-race card.