Sambista ($27.80) won an incident marred maiden claimer in Wednesday's fourth race, while favored Call Me Honcho ($5.60) had a perfect trip to win a starter allowance in the fifth race.
Sambista avoided the trouble that plagued Harmony's Hope, the 5-2 third choice, and Ghost Shadow, the 5-2 second choice. Harmony's Hope reared at the start of the race over 7 1-2 furlongs, and was hopelessly beaten even before the race truly started. Ghost Shadow was closing on the inside in early stretch when she was bumped by Warren's Aprilstorm at a pivotal point of the race. The incident cost Ghost Shadow any chance for a placing. She wound up sixth in a field of seven.
Call Me Honcho, making his first start for trainer Doug O'Neill and Great Friends Stable, clrcied three-wide to win by 1 1-4 lengths over Gotham Devil. Call Me Honcho was the first winning favorite in Wednesday's pick six races, which began with Premier Cru ($11.20) winning a maiden special weight race.
