Nothing Amiss on Opening Day

Jockey David Amiss and trainer John Rigattieri teamed up to win three of the 10 races on the Opening Day card at Suffolk Downs before a passionate crowd of 16,290.
Amiss started the day off with a three-length score aboard Dixie Red ($3.60) in the season opener. He and Rigattieri teamed up to sweep the late daily double with Electric Mountain ($5.00) and Northern Command ($4.20), both in front-running fashion. The double returned $11.
Amiss, a New Hampshire native, was second in the jockey standings in 2007 with 75 victories. Rigattieri has been leading trainer at Suffolk Downs the last four years, saddling 64 winners a year ago.
A day after celebrating her birthday and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park, defending riding champion Tammi Piermarini was aboard two winners.
“It was a great day for us, despite the less than ideal weather,” said Richard Fields, leading shareholder of Suffolk Downs.  “The crowd showed tremendous enthusiasm, and today’s success bodes well for us for another great season of racing.”
After the eighth race, the track introduced its Community Winner’s Circle program by honoring ZUMIX of East Boston for their outstanding contributions to the local community. The program will recognize individuals and groups who have dedicated themselves to worthy causes in the community and will make a donation to their cause.
ZUMIX has nearly 17 years of experience serving underserved youth through music, technology and related arts.  The mission of ZUMIX is empowered youth who use music to make strong, positive change in their lives, their communities and the world.  ZUMIX has grown to serve over 350 youth per year in after-school and summer programs and reaches more than 6,000 additional youth and adults through workshops, community events, and outdoor concerts.

Yusuf, Gomes lead boys team to a victory over Latin Academy

By John Lynds

East Boston High School’s Boys Track and Field team added another win to its record last Wednesday against Boston Latin Academy but the girls team was unable to secure a victory.
The boys team record has improved to 3-1 on the season and beat Latin Academy 72-63. The girl’s team lost 74-27 taking their record to 2-2 on the season.
For the boys team Abdi Yusuf won the two-mile with a time of 12:14 minutes . Vaulter Gomes won the 400 meter dash with a time of 56 seconds. Jeremy Mitchell continues to do well this season winning the 100 meter high hurdles with a time of 16:8 seconds. He also qualified for the State Meet with his 6 foot jump score.
Ricky Rickerson placed second in the 100 meter dash with a time of 12.1 seconds. 
Ahziem Dortch rounded out the boy’s highlights finishing 2nd in the javelin with a throw of 100.3 feet.
Although the girls lost Wednesday, there were still some great individual wins by stars Tayana Jones and Claudia Ruesta.
Jones won the 100 meter dash with a time of 12.7 seconds. She also won the 200 meter dash with a time of 26.3 seconds and the triple jump with a jump of 29.6 feet.
Ruesta continues to impress in the 300 meter low hurdles shaving six seconds off the time she posted during the teams last meet against West Roxbury High School.  Ruesta completed the race in one minute flat.
Juliana Soriano also did well and finished first in the two mile with a time of 18 minutes.
The Track and Field team will compete against Madison Park High School on Wednesday, May 7.
“It should be a good meet,” said Coach John Parziale. “Madison Park has good speed but I think we can take them on the hurdles. I think we can get a win on both the girls and boys teams.”