Triple triumph for Maragh at Belmont

BELMONT, New York (CMC):

Jamaican jockey Rajiv Maragh is poised for a top three finish at Belmont Park's Spring/Summer meet after landing a triple at the famous American racetrack on Saturday afternoon.

As the season winds down, Maragh scored in the first, second and eighth races for a tally of 52 wins this season.

First race

Eibar Coa, already assured of the title, leads with 62 wins, followed by Alan Garcia (54) and Maragh and Cornelio Velasquez (49).

Maragh won the US$45,000 first race over six furlongs on turf by 1-1/2 lengths with the 2-to-1 favourite Winzalot in one minute 09.39 seconds.

Second race

He also scored in the US$46,000 second race over six furlongs with Biohazzard (10-1) by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:11.77.

Maragh picked up his third win in the US$57,000 eighth race over seven furlongs on turf with Diamondrella (7-2), scoring by a neck in 1:21.25 over the 7-5 favourite Sweet Ransom with top jockey Velasquez aboard.

The rising 23-year-old star also had three second-place finishes on the card.