So Many Ways Charges Home in Eight Belles

Photo: Sue Kawczynski / Eclipse Sportswire
Maggi Moss’ So Many Ways charged past a tight pack of fillies in deep stretch to win the 58th running of the $177,150 Eight Belles presented by Xerox (Grade III) for 3-year-olds by a half-length over Fusaichiswonderful on Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs.
       
Trained by Tom Amoss and ridden by Garrett Gomez, So Many Ways covered the seven furlongs on a fast main track in 1:22.84.
 
The victory was worth $101,046 and improved So Many Ways’ earnings to $424,346 with a record of 6-4-0-1. It was the third graded-stakes victory for So Many Ways, who won the Schuylerville (GIII) and Spinaway (GI) last summer at Saratoga under the care of Anthony Dutrow.
       
So Many Ways is a Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Sightseeing out of the Dehere mare Happy Scene.
       
So Many Ways returned $17.40, $7.80 and $5.80. Fusaichiswonderful, ridden by Javier Castellano, returned $6 and $5 with Irish Lute paying $12.40 to show under Brian Hernandez Jr.
       
Favored Calistoga was another half-length back in fourth and was followed in order by Blueeyesintherein
, Sittin At the Bar, Guadalupe High, Touch Magic, Gold Medal Dancer, Dancinginthecircle, Chortle
, Neith and Renee’s Titan.
 
EIGHT BELLES QUOTES 
 
Garrett Gomez, jockey of So Many Ways, winner – “I had a good trip. I was behind the speed on the backside and I waited my turn. On the turn, I got into a little pocket, so I eased out. Joel (Rosario on Calistoga) went around me and I was able to follow him. Tom (trainer Tom Amoss) told me to get her outside and I did. Then I asked her and she gave it to me. She’s a little bit of a filly, but she’s got a big heart.”
 
Tom Amoss, trainer of So Many Ways, winner – “We knew the style she likes to run, which is to come from off the pace and come around horses. Garrett (Gomez) was trapped for a long time. When he got outside, she did some running. It worked to our advantage and turned out well.
 
“I want make a point clear.  I just picked up where (former trainer) Tony Dutrow left off. Dutrow did a great job. He told me what to do today and it made all the difference.”
 
Javier Castellano, jockey of Fusaichiwonderful, second – “It was an exciting race. My filly was hesitating splitting horses and I think I lost momentum right there. I am proud of her but was just got beat.”
 
Brian Hernandez, Jr., jockey of Irish Lute, third – “It was a free for all down the lane but we had a great trip on the outside. When we turned for home, I got my filly to switch leads she sprinted home really nice but she got outkicked the last two jumps.”
 

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