Bailey Aims for Stakes Record

With 66 stakes victories, jockey Jerry Bailey is two shy of the single-season record set nine years ago by Mike Smith.

Bailey, who also is in position to surpass his earnings record of $22,871,814 set in 2002, could overhaul Smith today at Calder.

The country’s leading rider almost annually, Bailey has mounts in five of the six stakes races on the Miami track’s Florida Million card. All 12 races are restricted to Florida-breds.

Besides likely favorites Proud Man in the $150,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup Handicap, Chatter Chatter in the $150,000 Joe O’Farrell Juvenile Fillies, Sing Me Back Home in the $150,000 Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap and Wynn Dot Comma in the $150,000 Jack Price Juvenile, Bailey will also ride The Judge Sez Who in the day’s richest race, the $200,000 Carl G. Rose Classic Handicap.

The seven-furlong Jack Price will feature a meeting of unbeatens. Wynn Dot Comma, a son of Struggler, has won all four of his starts. Sir Oscar, a Halo’s Image colt, is five-for-five for International Fair Play Inc.

Race of the day: Shake You Down, who was third behind upset-winner Cajun Beat and Bluesthestandard in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint three weeks ago, will be favored to win the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash today at Laurel Park.

One for the road: Fire Slam can win again for owner Stan Fulton and trainer David Carrol in today’s seventh at Churchill Downs. The 2-year-old Grand Slam colt was impressive in his debut victory at Keeneland on Oct. 15 and the runner-up in that race, Tiger Heart, returned to win big at Churchill Downs. He looks to be a single to kick off the late pick four.

Exotically speaking: A pick four with all in the sixth, singling Lion Heart in the seventh, Personal Legend in the eighth and Tough Talker, Tricky’s Treat and Red Hair Lady in the ninth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 2/2. Money: Previous day/meet total: $11/$11. Total money bet: $32.