Jersey Town scores upset Cigar Mile win

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Queens, NY (Sports Network) - Jersey Town, the longest shot on the board, registered a surprise victory Saturday in the $250,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.

Sent off as a 34-1 longshot, Jersey Town and jockey Cornelio Velasquez defeated a solid field of eight other thoroughbreds. The four-year-old colt was 12-1 in the morning-line, but received little support from the betting public.

The win by Jersey Town gives trainer Barclay Tagg and owner Charles Fipke their second victory in the race. Tale of Ekati won the Cigar Mile in 2008 through disqualification.

Jersey Town was never far off the pace that was set by Vineyard Haven. Haynesfield, the Jockey Club Gold Cup champ, was second followed by Jersey Town and Friend or Foe.

Haynesfield moved to the lead on the final turn as Jersey Town joined him on the outside. The two led the field into the stretch and battled to the wire.

Jersey Town put a head in front at the wire to defeat Haynesfield with Girolamo finishing third. Post-time favorite Bribon was fourth followed by Friend Or Foe, Soaring Empire, Vineyard Haven, Musket Man and Half Metal Jacket.

The time for the 22nd Cigar Mile was 1:34.43 on a fast track.

Jersey Town won the first stakes race of his career with Saturday's win. The chestnut colt adds $150,000 to his earnings and has won five of 12 career starts for $398,610.

In his last start he was second to Bribon in the Bold Ruler at Belmont Park and third in the Kelso Handicap in early October. In August the colt was second in the Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs behind Tizway.

Jersey Town returned $71.50, $25.80 and $9.50. Haynesfield paid $6.60 and $4.70, and Girolamo paid $3.10 to show.