FARMINGTON, N.Y. – A field of six rivals are set to do battle in the $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial Stakes on Monday at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR). The 12th renewal of the sprint for New York-bred 3-year-olds and upward will be contested at a distance of six furlongs.
Trainer Debra Breed has won the last four runnings of the annual event, including a sweep of the exacta in last year’s dash.
Winston’s Chance is entered in Monday’s feature for Breed. The 6-year-old gelding defeated stablemate Breakin the Fever to take the 2018 Leon Reed Memorial Stakes. Breakin the Fever had won the sprint the prior three seasons.
Winston’s Chance scored a two and three-quarter length triumph in the $50,000 Genesee Valley Breeders Stakes at FLGR in his most recent start on August 19. He will cut back in distance after the one mile and one-sixteenth victory under Nazario Alvarado.
The $295,047 earner will again be under direction of Alvarado in the Monday’s eighth race. He is listed at 4-1 morning line and will break from the outside post.
The $50,000 Leon Reed Memorial Stakes, formerly the Wine Country Handicap, was established in 1973. In 2006, the name was changed in remembrance of the FLGR employee who tragically lost his life on November 19, 2005.
The six furlong event will be the eighth race of Monday’s nine race card. Post time for the first race is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
About Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack: In operation since 1962, the facility added gaming to its offering in 2004 and expanded again in 2013 by adding 33,000 square feet with a $12 million expansion. Nearly two million visitors annually now visit the facility highlighted by over 1,100 gaming machines, the 448-seat Vineyard Buffet, Remedy Bar & Lounge, as well as live and simulcast thoroughbred racing. Gaming doors open at 8 a.m. and racing doors open at 11:30 a.m. daily. For more information, visit www.fingerlakesgaming.com.