NEW YORK (AP) Joking rallied from last for a 16-1 upset victory Sunday in the $100,000 Diablo Stakes at muddy Belmont Park.
The 7-year-old gelding owned and trained by Charlton Baker charged down the center of the track to beat 6-5 favorite Ready for Rye by three-quarters of a length.
''I was feeling really good about our chances heading into the race,'' Baker said. ''He was training as good as he possibly could heading in. I thought he might be outclassed a little bit in this spot, but remained confident in how well he was training.''
Manny Franco was aboard as Joking covered the six furlongs in 1:09.44 for his eighth win in 37 starts.
Joking paid $34.40, $7.70 and $4.50. Ready for Rye returned $3.20 and $2.60, and Green Gratto paid $5.20 to show.
