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Posted by: Administrator ::: on Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 08:30 PM ::: 16 Reads
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 Jean-Luc Samyn is the oldest member of New York’s jockey colony, and all of his experience paid off Saturday afternoon when he guided Godolphin Stable’s Formal Decree to a three-length, gate-to-wire victory over Strike a Deal in the 49th running of the Grade 3, $111,400 Knickerbocker Handicap for three-year-olds and up at nine furlongs on Belmont Park’s inner turf course.
Samyn, broke from Post 1 and, with the rail set at 18 feet on the firm course, opened up a measured length on longshot Giant Wrecker and set a pace of .24.93, 48.31 and 1:10.95 Giant Wrecker made one final try, but Samyn and his mount simply rode off to the victory in 1:47.57.
“It happens once in a blue moon. I do have a few years of experience,” joked Samyn after the victory that returned $9.30. “When I was turning for home, I was extremely happy. I had a lot of horse left. This is his fourth race in this country, and each time he runs, he gets better.”
It is not surprising that the 5-year-old Dikat colt has progressed. Samyn has now ridden him four consecutive free times.
“In his previous races, he’s been difficult when he gets in a lot of traffic,” said Christine Andenaes, assistant to winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor of “. He was kind of left alone, and it worked out well. Jean-Luc (Samyn) knows the horse well and gets along with him. I don’t know what’s next.”
Strike a Deal, who now has four seconds in six starts this year with no victories, necked Buffalo man for the place, while favored Proudinsky was fourth.
Dry Martini, Drum Major, Interpatation and Giant Wrecker trailed, while Operation Red Dawn was scratched.
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Posted by: Administrator ::: on Sunday, November 12, 2006 - 12:00 AM ::: 299 Reads
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Jockey Jean-Luc Samyn, who was injured this summer, guided Fox Ridge Farm’s Naughty New Yorker to a 1 ¾-length victory Saturday in the 47th running of the $147,000 Red Smith Handicap.
Known for his ability in turf races which prompted the cheer `Samyn on the Green,’ the wily veteran showed he could judge pace on the dirt as well, when the Red Smith, the last graded turf stakes in New York this year, was switched from 11 furlongs on the turf to a mile and a quarter on the dirt.
According to John Passero, director of racing surfaces for the New York Racing Association, the decision to move the race to the main track was prompted by severe rains earlier in the week that accounted for very soft and unsafe parts on the turf course’s backside. Weather permitting, the turf course will likely be back in use next week.
With the main track favoring speed on Saturday, Samyn sent Naughty New Yorker to the lead, and slowed the pace to :26.15; :51.95; 1:16.56 and 1:40.96. He had plenty left to respond to a late challenge from Angliana, who ran second.
“I’m just happy to be reunited with my big horse and on top of that be back in the winner’s circle.” Samyn said. “I lost him when I got hurt in Saratoga.”
The winning time was 2:04.52, and the winner returned $5.90
It was the sixth stakes win for Naughty New Yorker, but first in open company. Overall, Naught New Yorker has won 7 of 27 starts and earned $608,802.
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