September 5, 2007
MONMOUTH POSTS ATTENDANCE, HANDLE GAINS AT SUMMER MEET; BRAVO TAKES 13TH RIDING TITLE; PLETCHER TOP TRAINER OF 2007
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Monmouth Park’s 75-day summer meeting, a prelude this year to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in October, finished on a high note Sunday, Sept. 2, with significant gains in both handle and attendance over last season.

Sunday’s closing day crowd of 16,184 (third highest of the meet behind Haskell Day and Father’s Day) brought total attendance for the meet to 672,790, and the average daily attendance of 8,971 was 5.6 percent higher than last year’s 8,497.

Total mutuel handle on Monmouth races from all sources reached $232,265,187, an average of $3,096,869, which was an increase of 5.1 percent over last year. Total handle in the building, which includes simulcasting wagering, was $94,649,198, an average of $1,261,989 per day, an increase of 5.2 percent over last year.

“The entire meet was a wire-to-wire winner,” said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. “It should provide us with plenty of momentum as we prepare for the Breeders’ Cup in October.

“The numbers we saw this season at Monmouth Park are a true testament not only to the economic importance of this facility to the state of New Jersey, but to all the fans who continue to enjoy great racing at the Jersey Shore.”

Monmouth closed earlier than usual this year in order to prepare for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships that will be run here during the special four-day meeting Oct. 24-27.

As usual, Haskell Day provided the high point of the summer as a crowd of 43,106 – fifth largest in Monmouth history – saw Any Given Saturday win the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational to put him on the road back here for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered By Dodge on Oct. 27.

Father’s Day, June 17, was another big day at Monmouth, as 23,975 turned out to celebrate the holiday.

Joe Bravo raced to a record 13^th title (and fifth in a row) as Monmouth’s leading rider, scoring with 110 of his mounts, 20 more than Eddie Castro. Mario Madrid was top apprentice with 20 wins.

Todd Pletcher, the nation’s leading conditioner, took his first Monmouth training title with 33 winners, narrowly defeating Bruce Levine and Jason Servis.

Peter Kazamias was the leading owner during the meet with 13 winners.

Kevin Sleeter’s Talkin About Love, who became the first New Jersey-bred filly of the modern era to win the Monmouth Oaks, was the top performer of the meet as she won all five of her starts here.

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September 2, 2007
LANTANA MOB SCORES IN SAPLING; A LITTLE GEM TAKES SORORITY
Monmouth Park.com

BACHATA UPSETS TWIN LIGHTS AS MONMOUTH FINALE DRAWS 16,184

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Lantana Mob, who won the Tyro Stakes earlier this season, validated that form at Monmouth Park Sunday as he captured the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) in convincing fashion before a closing day crowd of 16,184, third largest of the 2007 summer season.

In earlier stakes action on the final card, A Little Gem took the Sorority Stakes and Bachata scored in the Twin Lights on the turf in course record time.

Lantana Mob, trained by Steve Asmussen, became the third winner of the day for jockey Stewart Elliott as he gunned the Posse colt through the stretch to finish three and a quarter lengths in front of Preachin Man. Z Humor, the even-money favorite who trailed for most of the six-furlong race, rallied to be third in the field of seven 2-year-olds, three lengths farther back.

The winner, off as second choice, paid $8.60, $5.60 and $2.60 across the board after stepping the distance in 1:09 4/5. Preachin Man, a 10-1 shot, completed the $60.80 exacta and paid $9.20 to place and $3.40 to show. Z Humor paid $2.40 to show.

This was the third lifetime score in five starts for Lantana Mob, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in June, and then won the Tyro Stakes here in July. He earned a prize of $90,000 for owners Vinery Stables & Tom Ludt, bringing his career bankroll to $171,548.

"He broke sharp and relaxed very well," Elliott said. "We were able to sit just off the pace and behind a couple of horses. Once I eased him out, he knew exactly what to do and just took off."

Elliott guided back-to-back winners earlier on the card, taking the third race on Lu Tac and the fourth on Billysbenormal.

In the $120,000 Sorority Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, Martin L. Cherry's A Little Gem was content to race off the pace for a half-mile, and then rolled into command rounding the turn. She drew out through the stretch to score a two and a quarter-length victory over Bold Child.

Reata's Quik Punch finished nearly four lengths farther back in third, with New York City Girl, the 3-2 favorite, ending up fourth in the field of seven.

A Little Gem, trained by Steve Margolis and ridden by Jose Lezcano, stopped the timer in 1:11 3/5 for the six furlongs on a fast main track, and paid $10, $5.40 and $4.20 across the board as third choice. Bold Child, a 14-1 chance, completed the $105.20 exacta.

This was the second straight victory at Monmouth for A Little Gem. The daughter of Yonaguska broke her maiden here on Aug. 2 in her second career start.

A Little Gem earned $72,000 for her first stakes score, bringing her earnings to $98,400. She finished second in her career debut at Churchill Downs.

"When the overnight came out, and she drew the outside, Jose (Lezcano) and I discussed the race," Margolis said. "I knew she didn't have to be on the lead. Last time, she was just much the best, so she was on the lead, but since we have plans to stretch her out, it was best to let her settle off the speed.

"From here, we'll look at the one-turn mile at Belmont (Grade 1 Frizette on Oct. 6). Nothing's definite, but we'll keep her here, and if all goes well, maybe we'll be looking at the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 27)."

Jockey Eddie Castro scored his third victory of the day in the $80,000 Twin Lights Stakes, as he guided Pin Oak Stable's Bachata to an upset victory. With the portable rail set 24 feet out from the hedge, she ran the mile and an eighth on firm turf in 1:47.33, eclipsing the mark of 1:47.46 set last year by Kansas City Boy

Bachata, trained by Graham Motion, went off at 12-1 and scored by a neck over Dattts Awesome. Miss Tizzynow, also trained by Motion, was a length farther back as the 3-1 favorite in the field of nine fillies and mares.

This was the fourth straight victory and first stakes score for Bachata, a 3-year-old daughter of Kingmambo who broke her maiden at Delaware in May, and then won two allowance races at Colonial Downs.

Bachata paid $27.80, $11.60 and $7 across the board and combined with Dattts Awesome for a $166.60 exacta.

Castro scored back-to-back wins earlier on the card, taking the fifth race with Guns Drawn and the sixth with Rodeo Drive.

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September 1, 2007
SUNDAY'S SAPLING FINAL GRADED STAKES OF 2007 SUMMER MEET
Monmouth Park.com

With the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Monmouth drawing nearer, all of the stakes races over the track take on the look of preps for the big show.

Sunday's 74th running of the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3), final graded event of the summer season, drew a field of eight 2-year-olds with great expectations.

The home team is represented by the Tim Kelly-trained pair of Evenings End and Haddenfield, and the Pat Bottazzi-conditioned Ginas Wonder, all of whom broke their maidens at Monmouth.

But the invaders look strong, headed by Lantana Mob, who took a maiden race at Churchill Downs and then won the Tyro Stakes here for Steve Asmussen; Z Humor, a Bill Mott-trained colt who made an impressive debut at Saratoga, and Preachin Man, a Keeneland maiden winner who gained stakes brackets in the Minstrel Stakes at Louisiana Downs for Ronny Werner.

Trainer Mark Shuman, who won the Sapling last year with Xchanger, sends Tide Dancer up from his Fair Hill, Maryland, base, and Rick Dutrow Jr. sends out Dazzling Derek, who broke his maiden at Belmont and has turned in a sharp breeze at Monmouth for his stakes debut.

The goal, of course, is to get them in the gate for the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) here on Oct. 27.

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September 1, 2007
BUFFALO MAN, OUT 6 MONTHS, READY TO START ON COMEBACK TRAIL
Monmouth Park.com

Buffalo Man, who created quite a stir here last year as a 2-year-old when he won his first two starts at Monmouth and took a stakes at the Meadowlands, will have his first breeze Sunday since being injured in late February, trainer Cam Gambolati said.

The 3-year-old El Prado colt, who finished third in last year's Sapling, completed his 2-year-old season by winning the Storm Cat Stakes at the Meadowlands in November.

Gambolati, who won the Kentucky Derby with Spend a Buck in 1985, put Buffalo Man on the Triple Crown trail. The Ontario-bred bay colt came out running as a 3-year-old, winning the Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January, and the Ocala Breeders Sales Championship in February.

Buffalo Man was training for the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream when he suffered a condylar fracture in a Feb. 25 breeze.

"They placed two screws to hold the fracture, and it healed perfectly," Gambolati said. "He came back really well, and he's ready to start breezing. He'll have his first breeze Sunday with Jose Lezcano up.

"If everything goes right, I hope to start him in an allowance race or a stakes race on Breeders' Cup Week here (Oct. 24-27)," the trainer said.

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September 1, 2007
SORORITY DRAWS STRONG FIELD OF JUVENILE FILLIES
Monmouth Park.com

Sunday's $120,000 Sorority Stakes for 2-year-old fillies has drawn a worthy field for its 55th running, with four Monmouth maiden winners and three strong invaders in the field of seven.

Steve Margolis will send out Martin Cherry's A Little Gem in the six-furlong test, and the daughter of Yonaguska will draw considerable attention because of the way she broke her maiden.

In that Aug. 2 race, A Little Gem broke from the rail, got in gear around the turn, and was taken in hand the final sixteenth as she drew off to win by more than five lengths.

"Since she was down on the inside, I told Jose (jockey Jose Lezcano) to let the speed go," Margolis said. "But she just dragged him to the lead and went on from there. She looked great."

Margolis said the filly should have broken her maiden at first asking in July at Churchill Downs, but was in trouble the whole way.

"The chart trouble line doesn't begin to tell the story," he said. "She had to check, she was knocked off stride, she had to alter course a couple of times. And then she got beat only a half-length."

A Little Gem starts from the outside Post 7 Sunday, which the trainer sees as a good thing.

"I like the outside post for her," Margolis said. "The rider has options from there. She's trained really well for this (five furlongs in a bullet :59 4/5 last Saturday) and I think she'll run well."

Trainer Tim Hills also has a filly who broke her maiden in style and is training sharply for the Sorority.

Bold Child, a daughter of Flatter - Protect the Child, by Housebuster, owned by Zarba Hills Stables, came out running in her debut on July 4, drawing off to win by more than five lengths in :57 3/5 for five furlongs.

"She takes after the Housebuster side of the family," Hills said of the filly, referring to her grandsire, the champion sprinter of both the 1990 and 1991 seasons.

Bold Child turned in her final work for the Sorority on Friday morning, when she breezed three furlongs in a sharp :36 1/5 with jockey Stewart Elliott aboard.

"Stew said he didn't realize she was going as fast she was," Hills said. "I said good horses go fast easy."

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September 1, 2007
ICY ATLANTIC SETS COURSE RECORD IN WINNING RED BANK ON TURF
Monmouth Park.com

SMOKEY STOVER, 1-10, CRUISES TO VICTORY IN ICECAPADE STAKES

OCEANPORT, N.J. - James Scatuorchio's Icy Atlantic, the 3-10 favorite, captured the $150,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3) in course record time, and Smokey Stover punched his ticket for the Breeders' Cup in Saturday's stakes action at Monmouth Park.

Icy Atlantic, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Joe Bravo, made a furious rush through the stretch to get up for a neck victory in the Red Bank. He raced the one mile over firm turf in 1:32.42 to establish a record for the distance with the portable rail set out 24 feet from the hedge. The previous mark of 1:33.89 was set last August by Ide Rejoice.

A 6-year-old son of Stormy Atlantic, Icy Atlantic paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20 across the board as the odds-on choice in the field of seven. Touched By Madness, a 23-1 chance who reached the lead in midstretch, held gamely for second by a head over Baron Von Tap, and returned $9 to place and $4 to show, completing the $41.40 exacta. Baron Von Tap was $3.40 to show.

Icy Atlantic was content to settle far back off a fast pace (:46 1/5 for the half, 1:09 flat for six furlongs) for the first half-mile. Bravo got him running around the turn and once straightened out in the lane, Icy Atlantic set sail for the lead. He passed Touched By Madness just before the wire as Baron Von Tap made a move on the inside to make it a close finish.

"He's trained great for both races that he's run here this year," said Anthony Sciametta Jr. "He was running on in his last (Oceanport on Aug. 5), but got in some traffic trouble at the top of the stretch. He's run very well all year."

Bravo, on his way to a 13th riding title, said, "He could have won a six-furlong race with the times they put up there. Todd Pletcher did a great job. He was the class of the race. I was just happy to be along for the ride."

This was the third win of the season in seven starts for Icy Atlantic, and the winner's share of $90,000 brought his career total to $853,940.

Harry Aleo's Smokey Stover, sent off the 1-10 favorite in the $100,000 Icecapade Stakes at six furlongs, gained complete command on the turn and held Park Avenue Ball safe through the stretch for a two-length victory with regular rider Aaron Gryder aboard.

The Greg Gilchrist-trained 4-year-old stopped the timer in a solid 1:08 4/5 for the distance over a fast track in what amounted to a prep for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) that will be run here on Oct. 27.

Smokey Stover paid $2.20 to win and $2.10 to place and topped an $8 exacta with Park Avenue Ball, third choice in the wagering at 8-1. Cougar Cat, the second favorite, finished third, six lengths behind Park Avenue Ball, with High Blitz last in the field of four.  There was no show wagering offered on the Icecapade.

"The race unfolded like we thought it would," Gilchrist said. He's not truly a speed horse, and we figured the 3 (Cougar Cat) would be watching us and we'd be watching the 3. He finished well, and I was happy to see that.

"I usually give it 48 hours before making plans, but the Breeders' Cup is the plan right now. We'll take him back home (northern California) and if he's really doing well and a race comes up, he might have another start between now and the Breeders' Cup."

Gryder, who was a Monmouth regular before moving his tack to California three years ago, said, "He ran a good race today, but you haven't seen his best yet. I went out there and rode him like he was the best horse in the race, and he was. I was just focused on getting a good race into him for the Breeders' Cup."

Smokey Stover, a Florida-bred son of Put It Back, broke sharply and engaged Cougar Cat for the lead down the backstretch. They clipped off fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 flat before the winner asserted himself at the quarter-pole.

Smokey Stover held a clear lead into the final furlong as Park Avenue Ball, making his first start in three months, closed for second, but could not get closer than two lengths.

Smokey Stover earned $60,000 for winning his fifth race in six starts this year. It was his eighth win in 13 lifetime starts and brought his earnings to $568,725.

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August 31, 2007
SMOKEY STOVER READY TO DO HIS THING IN ICECAPADE STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth fans will be treated to another Breeders' Cup preview in Saturday's $100,000 Icecapade Stakes when Harry Aleo's multiple stakes winner Smokey Stover meets four foes at six furlongs.

Trainer Greg Gilchrist shipped the 4-year-old in from his Bay Meadows, California, base to give him a race over the Monmouth track with an eye toward the Breeders' Cup Sprint on Oct. 27.

"There were a lot of places we could have gone," Gilchrist said, "but I talked it over with Mr. Aleo and we agreed that Monmouth was the best place.

"We have an idea that he's a Breeders' Cup horse, and I want him to have a race over the track. Mr. Aleo and I agreed that if he can't win this, he can't go to the Breeders' Cup."

Smokey Stover, a Florida-bred 4-year-old son of Put It Back, who was purchased for $140,000 at the 2005 sale of 2-year-olds, has won four of his five starts this year, including the Grade 2 Potrero Grande Handicap at Santa Anita and the Grade 3 Bay Meadows Sprint Handicap. He was third last out in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder.

"It rained most of the day, and he just didn't handle the track," Gilchrist said. "I think he'll like the Monmouth track. From what I've seen, this is very close to the tracks we have out west."

Smokey Stover, who arrived Tuesday night, jogged on Thursday and galloped once around the oval Friday morning. His regular rider, Aaron Gryder, will be in to ride on Saturday.

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August 31, 2007
KELLY WILL HAVE TWO FOR THE MONEY IN SUNDAY'S SAPLING
Monmouth Park.com

Trainer Tim Kelly is walking around with a big smile on his face these days. That's the way it is when you have talented 2-year-olds in the barn.

Kelly will have a pair of juveniles in Sunday's $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3), the final graded event of Monmouth's summer season. Haddenfield broke his maiden here at first asking, and ran second in a stakes at Delaware last out. Evenings End ran off to an eight-length score in his second career start at Monmouth.

"They make a good entry," Kelly said of the two youngsters, who are both bred and owned by Daniel J. Ljoka. "Evenings End has plenty of speed, and Haddenfield comes from off the pace."

Haddenfield is the most experienced of the pair, with three starts, including that stakes placing on Aug. 18. He had trouble while starting from the rail that day, but recovered to make a big stretch move to be second.

"It's a concern bringing him back so quick," Kelly said, "but he recovered quickly from that race, and he's acting well. I'll make a final decision the day of the race about him."

Evenings End on the other hand, has not started since he broke his maiden on July 20, and comes into the six-furlong Sapling off a string of works.

His most recent was a :37 3/5 breeze here on Thursday, his final sharpener for the stakes race, but his most significant was the :47 2/5 half-mile he turned in out of the gate on Aug. 15.

"Chuck (jockey Chuck Lopez) was up yesterday and said the colt worked super," Kelly said. "But in the gate work, I wanted to simulate race conditions. I worked him with a 4-year-old, a winner, and he had his jockey up (Daniel Centeno, since injured). He was sensational that day and really got a lot out of it."

Evenings End turned in the fastest of 32 works at the distance that morning.

Both youngsters were bred by Ljoka in partnership with Sharon Biamonte. But Evenings End is a New Jersey-bred, while Haddenfield is a Florida-bred.

"I'm smiling because they're like family," Kelly said. "We raise them, we break them and we race them, and they become like your kids. And when your kids do well, you're happy. They're doing well, and I'm happy."

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August 31, 2007
RUNNING IN RED BANK IS NOT 'MADNESS' ON PLESA'S PART
Monmouth Park.com

Touched By Madness has provided some of his own fast times at the Jersey Shore in the past, winning the Jersey Derby in front-running fashion in 2005, and nearly lasting after leading throughout the Lamplighter Stakes. The 5-year-old won an allowance race here last year on turf, and this year was second to Indy Wind in the Skip Away Stakes.

On Saturday, he goes back to grass to try for his first career graded stakes win (he was DQd from first in the Grade 3 Kent in 2005) in the $150,000 Red Bank (G3), and if recent form counts, will be a stalker and not a leader.

"He's evolved and matured," trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. said. "He doesn't need to be on the lead any more. He can be effective from off the pace."

Plesa claimed Touched By Madness for $100,000 out of a Calder race last December, when the horse was entered as trained by Kathleen O'Connell. Ned Allard was the trainer of record when the Sword Dance gelding raced here.

And Plesa did not part with 100 large on a hunch. He knew exactly what he was getting.

"He's a very versatile horse," the trainer said. "He's equally effective on turf or dirt. I watched him pretty closely and claimed him the first chance I had.

"I wanted him because I trained his brother, Sejm's Madness," Plesa said. "He was also a very versatile horse."

Plesa claimed Sejm's Madness, who was by Sejm out of the Shananie mare Marilyn's Madness, for $75,000 in 1999. The previous trainer was Ned Allard. Both Touched By Madness and Sejm's Madness were bred by former owner Gilbert Campbell.

Sejm's Madness made 48 starts for Plesa and won seven races, including turf stakes at Calder and Gulfstream.

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August 30, 2007
GIMME CREDIT DEMANDS RESPECT IN SATURDAY’S RED BANK
Monmouth Park.com

Saturday's $150,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3), the last graded event to be run on the grass here before Breeders' Cup Week in October, has come up a solid event, with several Monmouth turf winners in the field.

But there is one newcomer to the local course who demands attention because of his connections, and because of the way he's handled turf courses at Belmont and Saratoga.

Hampshire Farms' Gimme Credit is trained by Tim Hills, who has won a Monmouth training title (2004), and is especially effective with turf horses. So why hasn't the 4-year-old Gimme Credit been seen on the grass here before this?

"He's a New York-bred," Hills said of the son of Artax - Shagadelic, by Devil's Bag. "We kept him racing in New York to take advantage of the state-bred program."

Gimme Credit made the first nine starts of his career in restricted company. He was winless at 2, although he finished second in his first turf try, and did not break his maiden until his second start at 3, an off-the-grass mile at Belmont, where he reveled in the slop.

That race in June got Gimme Credit off in the right direction, and he reeled off five straight wins (four on grass) for Hills. One of the victories came in the Equalize Stakes at Saratoga, an open event at one mile on turf.

The gelding finished last season with two fourth-place finishes in stakes on the grass at Keeneland and Calder, a move to open company that has continued this year.

He finished sixth in a Belmont allowance in May - his first start in six months, and then turned in an impressive performance on June 17 in winning the Notoriety Stakes on the grass at Belmont.

He made a dramatic stretch move that carried him from sixth to first, and he was drawing off at the end to score by three and a quarter lengths in the very fast time of 1:20 3/5 for seven furlongs.

"That was a very impressive race visually," Hills said. "He just got in gear in the stretch and ran them down, and then was drawing off at the end. And he finished like that off a half in :45 and change."

The race impressed enough people that Gimme Credit, who went off at 16-1 in the overnight stakes, was bet down to 4-1 for his first graded stakes try in the Poker Handicap (G3) at Belmont in July. But this time he had no kick when the rider asked, and finished a dull seventh.

"We loved him going into the Poker, and I was disappointed with the way he ran," Hills said. "But it turned out he had an entrapped epiglottis and wasn't getting enough air.

"He's had minor surgery to correct that now, and he's been training very well since then," the trainer said.

The mile seems to be an ideal distance for Gimme Credit, and he will take some beating in the Red Bank if he gets a favorable pace scenario.

"He needs some pace to run at," Hills said. "Looking at the field, I think he'll get it."

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August 30, 2007
BRUCE LEVINE NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Bruce Levine, who saddled three winners last week to move closer to the top in the standings, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Levine will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Levine sent out three winners during last week's racing action, and by the end of the week had gained a tie for second place in the trainer standings with Jason Servis. Those two are making the trainer race close for the final week with meet-long leader Todd Pletcher.

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August 29, 2007
RED BANK, SAPLING TOP 5 STAKES ON MONMOUTH'S FINAL WEEKEND
Monmouth Park.com

The final weekend of Monmouth's summer meeting promises to be exciting, with five stakes races - including two graded events - and promotions set both Saturday and Sunday.

The Meadowlands fall meeting opens on Monday, and this year Monmouth will hold a special four-day meet Oct. 24-27 capped by the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Topping Saturday's card at Monmouth is the $150,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3), a one-mile turf event that will draw a strong field for its 34th running. Last year's running of the Red Bank was won by Miesque's Approval, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Mile and became the Eclipse Award champion male grass horse of 2006.

Saturday's card also includes the $100,000 Icecapade Stakes at six furlongs, which will attract some of the fastest older sprinters in training, including Smokey Stover, a graded stakes winner in California this year.

Saturday is also "Budweiser Football Party at the Park," with drawings for football tickets and memorabilia throughout the afternoon.

On Sunday, closing day of the summer session, the 2-year-old stars of tomorrow will be showcased in the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) and the $100,000 Sorority Stakes for fillies. Both races will be run at six furlongs.

The third stakes to be run Sunday is the $70,000 Twin Lights, which matches 3-year-old fillies at a mile and an eighth on the turf.

Sunday is "Fan Appreciation Day," and there will be free grandstand admission and half-price clubhouse admission for that program.

Both Saturday and Sunday will be "Family Fun Days," with activities for children that include free pony rides, face painters, clowns and inflatable bounce houses.

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August 29, 2007
PRESIOUS PASSION READY FOR ANOTHER BIG TEST IN RED BANK
Monmouth Park.com

Presious Passion, a 4-year-old son of Royal Anthem, has already demonstrated his love of Monmouth's turf course and the one-mile distance. Now he just has to bring that success story to a graded stakes, which he'll try to do in Saturday's $150,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3).

The gelding has been a top performer here the last two seasons for trainer Mary Hartmann. Last year, he won the Jersey Derby on the grass, and this year took a one-mile allowance event. He was second in the Bob Harding Stakes, beaten just a length by Baron Von Tap.

But in his graded stakes tries, he's been far back, as when he finished seventh in the Grade 3 Oceanport Stakes here on Aug. 5, his most recent outing.

"He was too far back in that race," Hartmann said. "The rider (Eddie Castro) fought him to get him to take back off the pace, and then he didn't have anything left in the stretch. That was the way he wanted to run last year. He wanted to be taken back and make one late run.

"But not this year," Hartmann said. "This year he seems to want to lay closer to the pace. So if we let him do what he wants, I'm hoping for a better result."

Presious Passion has had a different rider in each of his four starts this year, and Hartmann said she hasn't decided who she'll use Saturday.

The one-mile Red Bank is expected to draw a field of at least eight, including Amenable, Baron Von Tap, Giant Wrecker, Gimme Credit, Icy Atlantic, Touched By Madness, and possibly Shake the Bank.

Kiss the Kid, who was second to Silent Roar in the Oceanport and considered a definite starter, coughed earlier this week, and trainer Amy Tarrant said she will most likely hold him out of the Red Bank. He's being treated with antibiotics and his training has been curtailed somewhat.

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August 29, 2007
PARK AVENUE BALL MAY USE ICECAPADE AS COMEBACK SPOT
Monmouth Park.com

Char-Mari Stable's Park Avenue Ball, the multiple Monmouth stakes winner who hasn't run in three months, may be ready to roll again in Saturday's $100,000 Icecapade Stakes, trainer Jim Ryerson said.

"He could be up to running in the Icecapade," Ryerson said. "It looks like a good spot for him to start back."

Park Avenue Ball, a 5-year-old son of Citidancer, has won a graded stakes each season of his racing career, including the Iselin Stakes (G3) here last year.

However, this year, he's had just three starts - two in Florida and his turf debut in the Elkwood here on May 26.

The New Jersey-bred underwent throat surgery in late May to correct a breathing problem, and has been working steadily for his return.

His most recent breeze here last Saturday - five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 - indicates he's getting ready for action.

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August 29, 2007
PRINCESS JANIE WINS MONGO QUEEN STAKES AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Princess Janie gained command rounding the far turn and then turned the race into a runaway through the stretch as she captured the $75,000 Mongo Queen Stakes by nearly seven lengths at Monmouth Park on Wednesday.

The winner, trained by Cam Gambolati and ridden by Stewart Elliott, raced the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 1/5 and paid $3.60, $2.10 and $2.10 across the board as the odds-on favorite in the field of six 3-year-old fillies.

Astor Park, the 8-5 second choice, rallied to take the place spot, two lengths before Bianco, to complete the $7.20 exacta.

Princess Janie turned the tables on Astor Park today after finishing second to that filly here on June 30 in the Dearly Precious Stakes. This was the second Monmouth stakes victory of the season for the daughter of Elusive Quality, who took the Just Smashing Stakes in May.

Princess Janie improved her career record to 3-2-0 in six starts for owners Ol Memorial Stable & C.E. Glasscock. The $45,000 winner's share of today's purse upped her bankroll to $130,520.

"Everything worked out perfect today,"Gambolati said. "I thought she was the best horse no matter what, but we had an absolutely perfect trip. We'll look at the stakes on Breeders' Cup Week (Miss Woodford, Oct. 27). You know she likes this racetrack."

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August 28, 2007
ASTOR PARK RETURNS TO MONMOUTH TO TOP MONGO QUEEN
Monmouth Park.com

Astor Park, a stakes winner at Monmouth who comes off a try against Grade 1 company, tops a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in the $75,000 Mongo Queen Stakes, which highlights the Wednesday card at Monmouth.

The filly by Ecton Park is trained by Todd Pletcher, the leading trainer here, and ridden by Joe Bravo, the leading rider. Astor Park, owned by Gary Barber and Team Valor Stables, drew the rail in the six-furlong event and will likely be an odds-on favorite.

Ol Memorial Stable & C.E. Glasscock's Princess Janie, winner of the Just Smashing Stakes here in May and second to Astor Park in the Dearly Precious Stakes here on June 30, goes from Post 7 with Stewart Elliott aboard. The Elusive Quality filly, trained by Cam Gambolati, has turned in three strong workouts to get ready for her return to action.

The others entered, from the rail out, are Oliver Adam & Paxton Anderson's All American Miz, Carlos Quinones aboard; Padua Stables' Bianco, Jose Lezcano; Gilbert G. Campbell's Pleasure Seeker, David Mello; Wertheimer and Frere's Rolling Grace, Chris DeCarlo; Charles T.Matses' Shananies Song, Frankie Pennington, and Joel A. Kligman's Suzy Smart, Eddie Castro.

Astor Park made the Dearly Precious Stakes her third straight career win, and brought a perfect 3-for-3 record into the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 4. She failed to reproduce her winning form, finishing ninth in the seven-furlong event.

Pletcher also trains Rolling Grace, a Dixieland Band filly who broke her maiden at Monmouth on May 20 in her second lifetime start. Last out, she was third in an allowance race here.

Princess Janie broke her maiden at Gulfstream in March and won the Just Smashing in her Monmouth debut. She tried the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont after that, and ran fifth. She returned to Monmouth to run second behind Astor Park in the Dearly Precious.

Trainer Ned Allard will saddle both Pleasure Seeker and Shananies Song.

Pleasure Seeker, by West Acre, is unbeaten in two lifetime starts. The filly broke her maiden last year at Calder, and won her only start this year on July 29 at Philly Park.

This will be the seasonal debut for Shananies Song, a daughter of Eltish who won the Finger Lakes Juvenile Filly Stakes in her most recent start on Oct. 7.

This will be the fourth straight stakes start at Monmouth for Bianco, a Yes It's True filly trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. Her best finish here to date was a third behind Astor Park and Princess Janie in the Dearly Precious.

Suzy Smart, who was second to Princess Janie in the Just Smashing, tried graded stakes company last out in the Monmouth Oaks (G3), where she finished sixth behind Talkin About Love. She returns to sprinting in the Mongo Queen, which has always been her best game.

All American Miz comes off a stakes try at Charles Town for trainer Phil Schoenthal. The Grand Slam filly finished fourth in the Aug. 5 event.

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August 28, 2007
TOP JOCK IS BRAVO, TRAINER/OWNER RACES TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Monmouth Park.com

Just five racing days remain in the 2007 Monmouth Park season and Joe Bravo is set to win his 13th riding title at the shore racetrack, while the races for top trainer and owner remain too close to call.

Through 70 days of racing, Bravo has piloted 102 winners, 23 more than his nearest competitor, Eddie Castro.

Over in the trainer's column, Todd Pletcher continues to show the way with 31 victories, three more than the pair of Bruce Levine and Jason Servis.  Pletcher has two horses entered on Wednesday and four on Thursday.  Servis has four horses set for Wednesday's card and one for Thursday.  Levine has a pair of runners on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Peter Kazamias, with 12 wins, leads Patricia Generazio by one victory in the race for the meet's top owner. 

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August 28, 2007
BEACON STREET GRILLE, MARTELL'S TOP SUNDAY'S CRAB COOK-OFF
Monmouth Park.com

With over a thousand crab cakes served at Monmouth Park during Sunday's Shore Region Tourism Council's Shore Chef Crab Cook-Off, Beacon Street Grille and Martell's Shrimp Bar walked off with the top prizes.

Several area restaurants participated in the event, which pitted local eateries in a contest to determine who serves the best crab cake.  At the end of the day the judge's selected Beacon Street Grille, located on Route 66 in Neptune, while the fan favorite award went to Martell's Shrimp Bar, located on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach.

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August 26, 2007
CARROTS ONLY WINS HESSE HANDICAP BEFORE 15,568 ON SUNDAY
Monmouth Park.com

JOEY P. TAKES FRIENDLY LOVER, JERSEY GIRL GOES TO JENNY BEAN GIRL

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Monmouth Park celebrated the 5th annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival on Sunday as 15,568 fans watched Carrots Only run down pacesetter Fagedaboudit Sal and post a neck victory in the featured $135,000 Charles Hesse Jersey Breeders' Handicap.

Carrots Only covered the mile and a sixteenth over a fast main track in 1:42 2/5 and returned $5.20, $3 and $2.80 as the favorite in the field of eight colts and geldings.  Fagedaboudit Sal completed the $15.40 exacta and paid $3 and $2.80.  It was 7 1/4 lengths back to Midnight Express, who paid $5.60 to show.

"At the 1/8th pole I wasn't sure I'd get there," said winning rider Chris DeCarlo.  "At the 1/16th pole I was a little more confident.  I just sat back early with this horse and made my move in the middle of the turn.  After that he just kept on coming."

Trainer John Mazza, who scored his first victory of the meet with Carrots Only in the Hesse Handicap, said, "He ran a big one.  I've been with Holly Crest Farm for 40 years and Charlie (Hesse) was a dear friend, so this means a lot."

The Hesse win was the eighth in 31 starts for Carrots Only, who won this race two years ago as a 4-year-old.  Sunday's win boosted Carrots Only's lifetime bankroll to $364,828.  The 6-year-old by Defrere from the Brocco mare Veggie races in the colors of Holly Crest Farm.

In the $110,000 Friendly Lover Handicap, Joey P. shot through on the inside at the quarter pole before drawing off to a 2 1/2-length score, stepping the six furlongs over the main track in 1:09 3/5.

Trained by Ben Perkins Jr., Joey P. returned $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10 as the preferred half of the entry with John's Pic (both geldings are owned by John Petrini).  Charley's Diamond completed a $13.40 exacta and paid $3.60 and $2.60.  It was another half-length back to Karakorum Tuxedo, who paid $2.80 to show in the field of seven colts and geldings.

"Ben did a great job to get this horse ready," said winning rider Joe Bravo, who's poised to take his 13th Monmouth riding title.  "He's one of those horses any owner would love to have.  He tries so hard.  He's head and toes above the Jersey-bred class."

Sunday's win marked the 12th in 22 starts for Joey P., a 5-year-old by Close Up from the Luckey Jin Beau mare Luckey Lipco, who has now earned $579,333.

The $110,000 Jersey Girl Handicap saw Jenny Bean Girl close down the center of the course and post a 1 1/4 length win after covering the mile and a sixteenth in 1:44 3/5.

Ridden by Stewart Elliott, his fourth winner on the card, Jenny Bean Girl returned $4, $3.40 and $2.40 as the favorite in the field of seven fillies and mares.  Jersey Gia completed a $39.80 exacta and paid $8 and $4.  Solar Powered, the early pacesetter, tired to be third, good for a $4 show mutuel.

"She wasn't much as a 2-year-old, so we gave her time and she's certainly paid us back for that," said winning trainer J. Willard Thompson.  "The Meadowlands is definitely in her immediate future.  I don't believe she'll be bred this winter.  I think we'll see her back here next year."

The Jersey Girl win was the 6th in 28 starts for Jenny Bean Girl, a 5-year-old mare by Sefapiano from the Dixieland Band mare That's a Plenty.  She has now earned $315,733 for her owner Ocean View Stables.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, Aug. 29, for the final week of live racing at the 2007 Thoroughbred meet, which concludes on Sunday, Sept. 2.  Live racing opens at the Meadowlands on Monday, Sept. 3.  Monmouth Park will host a special four-day meet from Oct. 24-27, culminating with the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, powered by Dodge.

As always, the racetrack is open for simulcasting seven days a week from across the country and around the globe.

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August 26, 2007
JAIME KIRNOS WINS $300 HANDICAPPING CONTEST

Monmouth Park.com

Jaime Kirnos of Herndon, Virginia turned his $200 betting card into $4,542.50 to steal first place in Monmouth Park's $300 Handicapping Contest Saturday. Kirnos had yet to hit the top twenty five leader board going into the second to last race at Saratoga.  Kirnos played his remaining card balance of $158 on Starforaday (#2).  Starforaday rewarded handsomely, returning $57.50 on a $2 wager. 

Kirnos bested 244 other players to earn a spot in the 2008 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Contest in Las Vegas.  Ricky Zimmer finished second with $1,897.20 and also earned a berth to the National Handicapping Contest.  Both players also won Breeders' Cup tickets in addition to their prize money.

Complete Top Ten Results Below:

Total Prize*   Bankroll        Name

*Prizes based on 245 entries.

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August 25, 2007
FAGEDABOUDIT SAL READY TO ROLL IN JERSEY BREEDERS ‘CAP
Monmouth Park.com

Fagedaboudit Sal is a very important horse to trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. Not only is the 4-year-old the top winner in his barn, he also represents the last best link to Bobby Durso, Carvajal’s mentor, prominent trainer and all-around great guy who passed away in January. Durso was the trainer of record when Fagedaboudit Sal began his career in 2005.

“He’s my Frisk Me Now,” Carvajal said of Fagedaboudit Sal, who will be favored to win Sunday’s $135,000 Charles Hesse Jersey Breeders Handicap. He was referring to the multiple graded stakes winner that Durso trained when Carvajal was his assistant.

Fagedaboudit Sal, who has won both state-bred stakes he’s been in this year, gave Carvajal a scare Friday morning when he just went through the motions during morning exercise.

“There was a lot of coughing in the barn, and on the backside in general,” Carvajal said. “I was worried that he would start coughing. He just wasn’t acting right.

“But the vet checked him out thoroughly this morning (Saturday) and he received a clean bill of health. And when I took him to the track today, he almost tore my arm off. The track was pretty muddy Friday morning, and I think he was just protecting himself, and not extending himself over that footing. Today, the track was much better and he was his old self.”

“Sal” won the Bernie Dowd Handicap in June with a big move around the turn, but last out took the Lincroft Handicap with a front-running effort under jockey Chuck Lopez.

Carvajal was asked if the horse was going to the front again in the mile and a sixteenth Jersey Breeders.

Lopez, standing nearby, answered the question.

“I’m not getting’ dirty,” he said with a smile. “Nope, I’m not getting’ dirty.”

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August 25, 2007
SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL TIME FOR ‘COWBOY,’ SUMMER STING
Monmouth Park.com

Who’s the Cowboy, a dominant force in New Jersey-bred sprints last year when he won four stakes, is winless in his four outings this season, and owner Gerry Sleeter says it’s time for a shakeup.

The 5-year-old Cowboy is no better than fifth choice in a seven-horse field in Sunday’s $110,000 Friendly Lover Handicap, but he’ll have a new rider for the first time in more than two years. Pedro Cotto Jr. will replace Eddie King Jr., who has ridden the horse in 22 of his 28 lifetime starts.

“It’s not anything Eddie did,” Sleeter said about the change “But it was definitely time to shake things up and see what happens. Eddie’s been riding him for two years. Maybe the horse is bored and just needs somebody different to tell him what to do.”

Last year, the son of Intensity won the Friendly Lover ‘Cap by four and a half lengths over Hey Chub, a rival he faces again Sunday. But when he came back again this year in the Decathlon Stakes, he was a dull third behind Joey P., another Sunday rival. In his subsequent efforts, he was beaten a neck by Hey Chub in the John J. Reilly ‘Cap, and then finished third behind Joey P. in the Colts Neck ‘Cap. Last out he never looked like winning while third against open company in the Teddy Drone Stakes.

“He looks the same as he did last year,” Sleeter said. “He’s sound, he trains great. He’s just not running the same way. We’re hoping a change like this will wake him up.”

Sleeter will employ the same tactics of change with Summer Sting, a 5-year-old mare who will be one of the choices in the $110,000 Jersey Girl Handicap. Summer Sting gets a new rider in Cotto, and stretches out to a mile and a sixteenth for just the second time in her life.

The mare won an open allowance event this year for her only victory in four starts, but was far back in the Goldfinch against state-breds and the open Regret Stakes. She has raced at two turns once in her 21-race career, finishing fourth in the Honeybee Stakes at the Meadowlands last year.

“I don’t think it was the distance that hurt her,” Sleeter said. “She just doesn’t like the Meadowlands. She’s never run well there at any distance. So I’m treating this as if it’s her first distance race. I think she’ll do just fine around two turns.”

Hey Chub, unlike Who’s the Cowboy, has been a model of consistency this year, although it’s only been a two-race season so far. The 7-year-old son of Carson City beat Who’s the Cowboy in the Reilly on May 26, and last out was second to Joey P. in the Colts Neck on July 4.

“His races are certainly well-spaced,” said Jamie Woodington, who took over Hey Chub’s training this year from owner Danny Lopez. “But that’s by circumstance, not design.

“He’s got no conditions, and I don’t really want to run him in open company, so the only option is state-bred sprint stakes. They’ve run three this year, and he’s been in all of them,” the trainer said.

“He’s doing fine as ever,” Woodington said. “He knows how to run. I just keep him happy.”

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August 25, 2007
MC CAULEY GETTING READY TO MAKE HIS RIDING COMEBACK
Monmouth Park.com

Herb McCauley, one of the leading jockeys at Monmouth in the 1980s and ‘90s until he was injured in 1998, said Saturday he expects to start his comeback on Labor Day.

The 50-year-old McCauley, who shattered his leg in a spill here, was galloping horses this morning for trainer Greg Sacco before going to nearby Colts Neck Farm, where he has been working steadily for trainer Alan Goldberg.

“I’m looking to start back riding on Labor Day,” he said. “Either at the Meadowlands or Saratoga.

“I’m feeling good, and I’ve got my weight down to 115 with the help of a physical trainer and a nutritionist. I’m looking forward to riding again.”

McCauley, who won the 1983 Haskell Invitational aboard Deputed Testamony, was the leading apprentice rider at Monmouth in 1976, and won three riding titles at the Meadowlands in the early 1980s.

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August 25, 2007
HYSTERICALADY LEADS EVERY STEP TO WIN MOLLY PITCHER BY 6 1/4
Monmouth Park.com

LEXI STAR EDGES INDIA FOR 2ND; ERES MAGICA UPSETS OMNIBUS

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Hystericalady provided absolutely no drama in the $300,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) as she dominated every step of the way to score by six and a quarter lengths at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Sent off the 7-5 favorite in the field of seven fillies and mares, Hystericalady took command right out of the gate, set comfortable fractions all the way, and widened her lead the final furlong to stop the timer in 1:41 4/5 for the mile and a sixteenth.

Lexi Star, an 11-1 chance, rallied late to gain second by a neck over India, who went off the second choice at 2-1.

Hystericalady, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, paid $4.80, $3.60 and $2.60 across the board and topped the $43.60 exacta. Lexi Star paid $8.40 and $5.20, while India was $3.40 to show.

"I knew she was fast," said Castro, who scored his third win of the day on the filly. "I just wanted to get her out there and get her to relax early on. She did just that. She settled down nicely and when we turned for home, she had plenty left. She showed just how good she is today."

"We were a little discouraged after her last at Hollywood (third in the G 1 Vanity)," Hollendorfer said. "We'll take her back to California now and come up with a training and racing regimen with the Breeders' Cup here in mind."

Hystericalady, who won the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs in May, and then ran second in the Grade 2 Milady and third in the Grade 1 Vanity, both over the synthetic track at Hollywood Park, earned $180,000 for her Molly Pitcher triumph. She improved her career record to 7-1-1 in 13 starts and raised her earnings to $776,859 for the partnership of Rancho San Miguel, Hollendorfer & Toda.

Hystericalady set fractions of :48 for the half, 1:11 4/5 for six furlongs and 1:35 3/5 for the mile as India chased in second and Lexi Star raced third. Nearing the wire, the winner drew off easily from her competition, as Lexi Star wore down India to gain the place.

In the $70,000 Omnibus Stakes, Lael Stables' Eres Magica, content to trail most of the way, unleashed a huge burst of speed in the stretch that carried her to a one-length upset victory over Greenery, the 4-5 favorite.

Eres Magica, trained by Michael Matz and ridden by Jose Lezcano, raced the mile and three-eighths over a turf course labeled "good" in 2:13 1/5, and paid $40, $11 and $6.40 across the board as one of the outsiders in the field of eight fillies and mares.

Greenery passed front-running Anura late to take the place by three-quarters of a length and complete the $91.20 exacta.

This was the first U.S. victory for Eres Magica, a Chilean-bred daughter of Stuka, whose last win came in a Group 1 stakes race in Chile last November. This was her fourth start in the U.S., and the first time she finished better than fifth.

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August 24, 2007
'HOME TEAM' BEARS WATCHING IN SATURDAY'S MOLLY PITCHER
Monmouth Park.com

Saturday's $300,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) came up with a solid field of eight to contest the 62nd running of the storied event for fillies and mares.

Two invaders - Hystericalady from California and Kettleoneup from Kentucky - will draw the bulk of pari-mutuel support, but it would pay not to overlook the "home team."

Lyon Stables' India and Silly Goose Racing Stable's Prop Me Up are both stakes winners at Monmouth. Granted, they were overnight stakes, but the fact that the two fillies have shown an affinity for this track, and the fact that they train over it every day is an angle worth considering.

India, trained by Todd Pletcher, won the Without Feathers here last year as a 3-year-old, and then went on to take the Grade 2 Cotillion Stakes. She kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with a victory in the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park, but then was eased in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom.

There was a big question of whether she could rebound from that when she made her first local start of the season in the July 6 Miss Liberty Stakes (her first start in three months). She answered with an emphatic four and a half-length score, and thus comes into the Molly Pitcher with a perfect two-for-two mark at Monmouth.

"She came out of that race in good shape, and she's doing well right now," said Anthony Sciametta Jr., Pletcher's assistant at Monmouth. "But this is a different bunch than she faced in that race.

"She won graded stakes last year, and now the question is whether she's back up to that level. We'll find out Saturday."

Monmouth's leading jockey, Joe Bravo, will be riding for Monmouth's leading trainer Saturday, another factor to keep an eye on. Bravo has ridden India four times and has three wins aboard the Hennessy filly.

Prop Me Up, a 5-year-old daughter of Reparations who came into trainer Greg Sacco's barn at the end of July, has a perfect on-the-board record of 4-4-1 in 9 starts at Monmouth.

In her first start for her new trainer (Kelly Breen conditioned her through July of this year), Prop Me Up drew off to a length and three-quarters victory in the Lady's Secret Stakes on Aug. 5.

Bravo was aboard in 17 of her 28 career starts - including seconds in the Grade 2 Rampart at Gulfstream and the Grade 3 Matchmaker on the turf here, and a third in the Grade 3 Eatontown. But since he's riding India Saturday, Sacco had to come up with a new rider. He gave the job to Chuck Lopez, who has done top-notch works in stakes this season with upset wins aboard Gottcha Gold in the Salvator Mile and Iselin Stakes.

"She's definitely a horse for the course," Sacco said. "And she's doing super right now. The others may have a little more class, but we have the home field advantage. Everybody else has to ship in, but we're right here."

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August 24, 2007
SUNDAY'S A FESTIVAL WITH RACING, FOOD IN SPOTLIGHT
Monmouth Park.com

Sunday will bring a whirlwind of activities to Monmouth Park, with a 10-race program devoted solely to New Jersey-bred Thoroughbreds; a food festival featuring several Shore restaurants; a Shore Chef Crab Cake Cook-Off competition; a folding chair giveaway, and Monmouth's regular Family Fun Day activities.

The fifth annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival racing program, sponsored by the Malouf Auto Group, will provide 10 opportunities for state-breds to show their talent, with four stakes races included on the card.

The food festival begins when the gates open at 11:30 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. in Monmouth's grandstand. Those attending the track can purchase food from the stands of the participating restaurants - Bahrs, Beacon Street Grille, Brandl, Martell's Sea Breeze, McLoone's Pier House, and the Seaside Crab House. In addition, Monmouth's on-track caterer, Aramark, will also participate.

The restaurants will compete in a crab cake cook-off with fans in attendance voting for the best crab cake. The contest is sponsored by The Star-Ledger's Munchmobile.

There will be a folding chair giveaway, with a free chair for each paid admission.

Normal Family Fun Day activities include free pony rides, face painters, clowns, and bounce houses. 

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August 23, 2007
KETTLEONEUP A FRESH AND FIT INVADER IN MOLLY PITCHER
Monmouth Park.com

Kettleoneup, an invader from Kentucky, will be fresh, fit and dangerous in Saturday’s $300,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2).

The 4-year-old filly by Victory Gallop, who arrived by van Tuesday night from Churchill Downs, has settled into her Monmouth Park stall, and D.W. Fries, assistant to trainer Mike Tomlinson, expects good things in the mile and a sixteenth Molly Pitcher.

“She’s doing really well,” Fries said of the filly, who has been freshened for nine weeks following a busy winter-spring campaign. “She’s been training great, and she shipped well.”

The filly has been getting ready to come back with a string of solid drills at Churchill Downs. She logged a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 on Aug. 4, and in her final breeze for the Molly Pitcher went five-eighths in 1:00 2/5 last Saturday, the best of 18 works at the distance that day.

Kettleoneup, owned by Tom Crouch and named for a brand of vodka, won the Grade 3 Sixty Sails Handicap at Hawthorne, was second in the Grade 3 Azalea Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and third in both the Grade 2 Maryland Distaff at Pimlico and Grade 2 Fleur de Lis ‘Cap at Churchill through the first six months of the year.

Last year she won two of seven starts once she was tried on dirt tracks, after making three of her first four outings on Polytrack at Turfway Park.

“She didn’t handle the Polytrack well at all,” Fries said. “Some horses love it, some hate it, and there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. She’s been a different filly on the dirt.”

Kettleoneup was out for a mile and a half gallop around the muddy Monmouth track Thursday morning, and schooled in the paddock on Wednesday. She’s scheduled to gallop and stand in the starting gate Friday morning.

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August 23, 2007
4 STAKES, FOLDING CHAIR GIVEAWAY TOP N.J. FESTIVAL SUNDAY
Monmouth Park.com

The fifth annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival, presented by Malouf Auto Group, will celebrate state-bred Thoroughbreds at Monmouth Park on Sunday, with 10 races scheduled for N.J.-breds.

All paid admissions will receive a free folding chair while supplies last, and Family Fun Day activities will be part of the celebration.

The day’s program includes four stakes events, topped by the $125,000 Jersey Breeders’ Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth.

The other events scheduled are the $100,000 Friendly Lover Handicap at six furlongs, which will provide a rematch of archrivals Joey P. and Who’s the Cowboy; the $100,000 Jersey Girl Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth for fillies and mares, and the $100,000 Eleven North Handicap at six furlongs for fillies and mares.

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August 23, 2007
10 PERCENT PURSE INCREASE IN EFFECT FOR FINAL WEEK OF MEET
Monmouth Park.com

An across-the-board purse increase of approximately 10 percent will be in effect for the final seven days of racing at Monmouth’s summer meeting, Saturday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 2.

Racing secretary Mike Dempsey said claiming races from $5,000 to $19,000 will have purses raised $2,000. Claiming races from $20,000 to $50,000 will have their purses hiked $3,000.

Purses for maiden special weight races will increase by $4,000, and all allowance races will be raised by $5,000. All overnight stakes will be worth an extra $10,000 for the final seven days.

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August 23, 2007
EDDIE PLESA JR. NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Eddie Plesa Jr., who saddled Gottcha Gold to upset the Grade 3 Iselin Stakes last Saturday, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Plesa will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Plesa sent out Gottcha Gold to use his front-running tactics to upset the Iselin at odds of 15-1. It was the second straight graded stakes upset of the meet for the 4-year-old Gottcha Gold, who beat odds-on Lawyer Ron in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile in June.

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August 22, 2007
TRAINERS MAKING PLANS FOR TOP THREE ISELIN FINISHERS
Monmouth Park.com

Gottcha Gold and Brother Bobby, who ran one-two in last Saturday’s Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes, may meet again in the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap on Sept. 22.

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., who saddled Centaur Farms’ Gottcha Gold to win the Iselin for his second straight graded stakes upset here (he also won the Grade 3 Salvator Mile in June), said he was plotting the best course to get his colt to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, which will be run here on Friday, Oct. 26. That might involve either training Gottcha Gold up to the $1 million event, or using the Mass ‘Cap as a prep.

“We’re going to look at the Mass ‘Cap,” he said. “The time frame makes it a race we could use. He also runs well fresh. We won’t make a decision right now.”

Brother Bobby, who finished four and a half lengths behind Gottcha Gold in the Iselin, may also be headed to Suffolk Downs, but trainer Grant Forster has several other options.

The trainer, who was out in Washington to oversee his horses at Emerald Downs, has four races in mind for his gelding’s next start, said Frank Best, Forster’s assistant at Monmouth.

“Grant is thinking about the Mass ‘Cap, the Meadowlands Cup (Grade 23, Oct. 5), the Hawthorne Gold Cup (Grade 2, Sept. 29), or the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Grade 1, Sept. 30),” Best said.

“The horse came out of the race just fine,” he said. “He walked for four days, and he’ll go to the track again on Thursday morning.”

Indy Wind, who finished third in the Iselin, nine lengths behind the winner, will start next in either the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont or the Meadowlands Cup, said owner-trainer Amy Tarrant.

“I was a little disappointed in his race,” Tarrant said, “because I didn’t learn what I needed to learn about how far he wants to go. In that respect, it wasn’t a good race. But he came out of it fine, and I just have to decide where he runs next.”

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August 21, 2007
BRAVO A NEAR CERTAINTY FOR 13TH TITLE, PLETCHER KAZAMIAS LEAD
Monmouth Park.com

With just 10 days of racing to go at the 2007 Monmouth Park meeting, Joe Bravo appears poised to take an unprecedented 13th riding title at the Oceanport Racetrack.  Through 65 days of racing, Bravo has 96 winners, 21 more than his closest competitor, Eclipse Award winner Eddie Castro.

Jose Lezcano is third in the overall standings with 64 victories, 11 more than Chuck C. Lopez.  Rajiv Maragh rounds out the top five with 50 trips to the winner's circle.

Over in the trainer's column, Todd Pletcher shows the way with 30 wins, four more than Jason Servis, who has one victory more than Bruce Levine.  Richard Dutrow Jr. is fourth with 23 wins, a pair more than Patricia Farro.

The owner's race has Peter Kazamias atop the standings with 12 victories, two more than Patricia Generazio.  Tied in third with eight wins apiece are the trio of Presidential Thoroughbreds, Leo-Sag Stable and John Petrini.

The 2007 Monmouth Park meeting runs through Sunday, Sept. 2 with Thoroughbred action shifting north to the Meadowlands on Monday, Sept. 3.  Racing will return to Oceanport from Oct. 24 - 27, when Monmouth Park plays host to the 2007 Breeders' Cup.

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August 21, 2007
NEW JERSEY THOROUGHBRED FESTIVAL RETURNS ON SUNDAY, AUG. 26
Monmouth Park.com

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival will celebrate its 5th anniversary this Sunday with an entire race card dedicated to horses bred in the Garden State.  Four stakes are on tap for New Jersey-Bred Day:  Charles Hesse Handicap, Eleven North Handicap, Friendly Lover Handicap and the Jersey Girl Handicap.

In addition, the Monmouth Coaching Invitational will be on hand with horse drawn coaches on display and a demonstration down the home stretch.  For details and reservations, contract the Monmouth Conservation Foundation at 732-671-7000. 

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August 19, 2007
JUNIOR CHAMPION STAKES GOES TO SALES TAX
Monmouth Park.com

PAIR OF DEAD-HEATS IN 7TH RACE ON SUNDAY'S CARD

OCEANPORT, N.J. - William M. Backer's Sales Tax split horses in the stretch before drawing off to a two length win in the $60,000 Junior Champion Stakes at Monmouth Park before a Sunday crowd of 11,312.

Trained by Hamilton Smith, Sales Tax, sent off the favorite, returned $6.40, $3.60 and $3.20 after stepping the mile on "good" turf in 1:36 4/5.  Sammy Van Ammy rallied to complete a $26 exacta and paid $4.40 and $3.80.  It was a nose back to Sumwhrovrtherainbw, who paid $6.80 to show in the field of ten 2-year-old fillies.

"She broke for the lead, but I didn't want to go with the speed," said winning rider Rajiv Maragh, after riding his third winner on the card.  "On the program she looked the best.  She won going away."

Sunday's win marked the second in three outings for Sales Tax, a daughter of High Yield from the Fit to Fight mare Snit.  She has now earned $74,400 for her owner.

Earlier in the day, a racing rarity took place as a pair of dead-heats occurred in the seventh race, a $38,000 entry-level allowance for fillies and mares.

Dattts Our Girl ($6, $6.20 and $3.20) and Maddy's Heart ($5.60, $5.80 and $3.20) simultaneously hit the wire in front.  It was just a neck back to Oh Deanne O ($2.40), the post-time favorite, and Succeed ($2.40), who also crossed the finish at the exact moment for the show spot.  The dead-heats led to a pair of exacta payoffs as well as four trifecta returns.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, Aug. 22 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always, the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcasting from across the country and around the globe.    

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August 18, 2007
GOTTCHA GOLD ROMPS HOME A 4 1/2 LENGTH WINNER IN THE ISELIN
Monmouth Park.com

BROTHER BOBBY RALLIES FOR 2ND; INDY WIND 3RD IN GRADE 3 RACE

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Centaur Farms' Gottcha Gold broke on top but was headed early by Barcola before opening up around the far turn and romping home a 4 1/2 length winner in the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday before a crowd of 11,114.

Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., Gottcha Gold carved out fractions of :23 for the quarter and :46 for the half before cruising to six furlongs in 1:09 4/5 and reported home in 1:48 1/5 for the mile and an eighth over a fast main track.

"My main concern was the extra 1/8th of a mile to negotiate," said winning rider Chuck C. Lopez.  "My plan was to get him out there and go along as easy as possible.  My job is to just keep him running and keep him happy."

Gottcha Gold returned $32.20, $13.80 and $7.80 in the Grade 3 Iselin and topped a $308.80 exacta.  Brother Bobby returned $8.60 and $5.40 coming home 4 1/2 lengths ahead of Indy Wind, who paid $5.60 to show.  Master Command, the 6-5 favorite, checked in fourth in the field of eight colts and geldings.

"Chuckie rode an outstanding race," said Plesa, who watched the race from his Florida headquarters.  "I never thought he should've been 15-1.  He just loves New Jersey."

Gottcha Gold was coming off a win in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile here on June 23, besting Lawyer Ron that day by a neck.

As for future plans with Gottcha Gold, "We'll definitely look a the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (here on Oct. 26), no doubt about that," Plesa said.  "I might sit still on him until then.  He likes the surface and I'm not sure he'll need a race between now and then."

The Iselin win marked the 7th in 22 starts for the 4-year-old colt by Coronado's Quest from the Pleasant Tap mare Gottcha Last.  He now sports a Monmouth Park record of 5-2-0 from nine tries in Oceanport.  The $180,000 winner's share boosted his lifetime bankroll to $487,420.

In the $60,000 Anderson Fowler Stakes, Victory Thoroughbreds' Cherokee Country went from last to first at the 1/8th pole before opening up to a convincing four length score with little urging from jockey Jose Lezcano.

Trained by Ramon Preciado, Cherokee Country returned $4.20 and $2.80 as the favorite in the field reduced to four runners after it was switched to the main track.  Heezafrequentflyer, who dueled through the early fractions of :21 4/5 and :45 flat, held second to complete a $19.20 exacta and paid $4.20 to place.  Southwestern Heat was third with Tempt Me Not fourth.  There was no show wagering in the Anderson Fowler.

A 3-year-old colt by Yonaguska from the Tri Jet mare Jetazelle, Cherokee Country has now earned $216,610 with a record of 7-3-1 from 13 starts.  He stepped the 5 1/2 furlongs over the fast main track in 1:03 3/5.

In other Saturday stakes action, Atoned took command turning for home and increased his margin to three lengths at the wire, winning the $60,000 Continental Mile in 1:38 4/5 over the fast main track.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Chris DeCarlo Atoned returned $6.80, $4.80 and $2.80 and topped a $34 exacta.  Hop Skip and Away closed for the place and paid $5.20 and $3.80.  It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to the favorite Run Sully Run who paid $2.80 to show in the field of seven 2-year-olds.

A colt by Repent from the Icecapade mare Amidst, Atoned recorded his second consecutive win in taking the Continental Mile, a race originally scheduled for turf.  He has now earned $65,087 for owner Dogwood Stable.  

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August 17, 2007
PAPI CHULLO BACK AT MONMOUTH, BUT IN A BETTER SPOT
Monmouth Park.com

As a 3-year-old, Papi Chullo was pitched high on a regular basis, running in two graded stakes while still a maiden. But perhaps his toughest assignment was when he came to Monmouth in August of 2005 to run in the $1 million Haskell Invitational. Toughest, because he came into the Grade 1 just three weeks after breaking his maiden at Belmont.

As might have been predicted, Papi Chullo finished sixth behind Roman Ruler in what turned out to be his last race of the year.

Fast forward to August of 2007, and Papi Chullo returns to Monmouth for the first time in two years to run in Saturday's $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3). The difference is, he's now a stakes winner, and has taken two of three since he was sold to Winning Move Stable & IEAH Stables with Gary Contessa as the trainer earlier this year.

"He didn't embarrass himself in the Haskell," said Contessa, who raced a successful stable at Monmouth for years before moving to New York. The trainer still runs horses at the Shore, and currently has eight winners from 25 starters at the meet. "He had just broken his maiden, and then he ran in the Haskell. He seemed to like the track."

Papi Chullo, a gray son of Comeonmom, has done his best running previously in Grade 3 events. Last year, he was second in both the Longacres Mile and Queens County Handicap.

After taking over the controls in April, Contessa put Papi Chullo in an allowance event at Belmont, and the horse showed his appreciation by winning off by more than seven lengths. He started next in an overnight stakes, and won the Birdstone by five lengths. Last out, Contessa aimed high, but Papi Chullo didn't do much running when ninth in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga.

"I'm going to chalk the Whitney up to a track he didn't like," Contessa said. "For whatever reason, he didn't handle the track at Saratoga. I think this horse likes a firmer, harder, faster track. Monmouth might be more to his liking.

"My horses have been really running good there. I know they're running fast there, but my horses have all performed well."

Papi Chullo will have Monmouth's leading rider Joe Bravo aboard when he meets seven rivals Saturday in the nine-furlong Iselin.

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August 17, 2007
LAKES TUNE LOWERS COURSE RECORD IN WINNING FRIDAY FEATURE
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - John Donato's Lakes Tune took command at the break before drawing off to a convincing four length score and set a new course record of :54 3/5 for five furlongs in the $40,000 allowance/optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park on Friday.

Trained by Juan Serey and ridden by Tommy Turner, Lakes Tune returned $4.60, $3.20 and $2.60 as the favorite in the field of eight fillies and mares.  Forever Grateful completed the $46.40 exacta and paid $10.80 and $4.20.  Big City Danse checked in third and paid $2.60.

It was the first win in 2007 for Lakes Tune, a 5-year-old mare by Concorde's Tune from the Siberian Express mare Siberian Lake.  She has now earned $93,580 for her owner. 

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August 16, 2007
BROTHER BOBBY A FRESH THREAT IN SATURDAY'S ISELIN STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Brother Bobby moves back into the big time Saturday when he goes in the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3), and trainer Grant Forster thinks he's ready for the test.

"He has a history of running well fresh," the trainer said of his 4-year-old. "He's been training steadily at Monmouth since we got here last month, so it's time to try the big guys again."

Brother Bobby, a son of Out of Place, started off this year in great fashion, winning two of three allowance starts at Oaklawn, and just falling a nose short in the other.

Those performances encouraged Forster to start Brother Bobby in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, and the gelding put on a solid show as he ran second behind Lawyer Ron, who was the uncontested star of the Oaklawn meet.

"I'm hoping that was an indication of his quality," Forster said. "He ran a great race that day."

Brother Bobby was shipped to Churchill Downs, where he had broken his maiden in 2006, for his next start, the Grade 3 Alysheba Stakes on May 4. The track was muddy and slippery that day, and Brother Bobby finished fifth.

"He didn't like the track at all," Forster said. "I gave him that excuse. But I thought he should have won his next start."

That would be Brother Bobby's most recent effort, an allowance race at Churchill on May 26, in which he ran a "sluggish" third according to the chart.

"The only thing I can figure is that he was a little tired after running four times at Oaklawn, and then in the mud at Churchill," the trainer said.

"But now he's had time off, he's well rested, and he's been very sharp in his works here, so it seems he likes this track."

Stewart Elliott, who rode Brother Bobby in all four Oaklawn starts, has been aboard in the gelding's breezes at Monmouth.

"Stewart says he feels like he's working better than ever," Forster said, "so that's encouraging."

For the record, Brother Bobby has turned in nothing but bullet works since arriving at Monmouth in mid-July. His last breeze, on Sunday, was another black-letter drill as he went five furlongs in :58 4/5, the best of 58 works on the tab that morning.

In the mile and an eighth Iselin, Brother Bobby will have to take on some accomplished stakes runners in Master Command, a close third in last year's Iselin and winner of the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap this year; Gottcha Gold, winner of the Grade 3 Salvator Mile here last out; Barcola, coming off two stakes wins at Delaware; Papi Chullo, winner of the Birdstone at Belmont, and Indy Wind, who has won two stakes this year at Monmouth. 

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August 16, 2007
KEVIN SLEETER NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Kevin Sleeter, who saddled Talkin About Love to become the first New Jersey-bred winner of the Monmouth Oaks (G3), has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Sleeter will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Sleeter, who is also the owner and breeder of Talkin About Love, sent the Not for Love filly out to win her fifth straight race of the season at Monmouth in the 83rd running of the Monmouth Oaks, her first graded stakes attempt. The 3-year-old filly is the leading horse at the meeting with a perfect 5-for-5 record and $255,900 in earnings.

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August 15, 2007
INDY WIND HAS A LOT TO PROVE IN SATURDAY'S ISELIN STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

If you want to race in October, you have to win in August. It's simple, but it won't be that easy for Hardacre Farm's Indy Wind, who will try to use Saturday's $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) as a stepping-stone to bigger and better things.

"I want to try to get him to the Breeders' Cup," said owner-trainer Amy Tarrant. "But it all depends on this race.

"If he does well Saturday, I'm looking at either the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Grade 1 on Sept. 30) or the Meadowlands Stakes (Grade 2, Oct. 5).

"He has to earn his way into the Breeders' Cup by getting enough points in graded races," Tarrant said.

The Iselin, at a mile and an eighth, will be a good test for Indy Wind. The 5-year-old by A.P. Indy - Zagora, by Kingmambo, has been a Monmouth favorite since he burst on the scene as a 3-year-old in 2005 with two runaway victories. He won two races last year as a 4-year-old, and has taken two of five starts this year.

But he's never won a graded stakes, and he's never run beyond a mile and a sixteenth, so the Iselin represents a hill to climb.

"The way he finishes, I don't think the mile and an eighth will be any problem," Tarrant said.

Indy Wind has run in four graded stakes in his career - two on the turf - and his best finish was a third in this year's Salvator Mile, when he finished nearly nine lengths behind Gotcha Gold and Lawyer Ron.

But the longer distance of the Iselin will probably help him, because his usual style is to make one big run through the stretch to catch the leaders. That worked to perfection in this year's Frisk Me Now, when Indy Wind blew by Gotcha Gold late at a mile and 70 yards.

In the one-mile Salvator, however, Indy Wind was so far back, there was no catching Gotcha Gold, who got loose on the lead and refused to be passed, even by the 1-10 favorite Lawyer Ron.

Last out, in the Skip Away Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth, jockey Mario Madrid departed from the usual script, and had Indy Wind right up on the pace. It worked nicely because he was the 4-5 favorite and much the best.

But Indy Wind has to prove that he belongs with the big boys, and the Iselin will be the big test.

"I'll make more plans if he does well here," Tarrant said. "But it all depends on him and this race."

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August 15, 2007
SLEETERS ARE ENJOYING TALKIN' ABOUT TALKIN ABOUT LOVE
Monmouth Park.com

The Sleeter Family is still basking in the warm glow generated on Sunday by the 3-year-old Talkin About Love, who became the first New Jersey-bred filly to win the Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks (G3) since the race was renewed when Monmouth Park opened in 1946.

Kevin Sleeter, the breeder, owner and trainer of the chestnut filly by Not For Love - She's Jane, by Northern Idol, was smiling Wednesday morning as he mulled over upcoming races for the stable's new star.

"She came out of the race great," Sleeter said. "I'm looking at the Cotillion (Grade 2  Fitz Dixon Cotillion Handicap at Philly Park on Sept. 22) for her next start. I'd rather stay here, but there are no graded races for 3-year-old fillies.

"It would be nice to get enough points to come back to Monmouth in October," Sleeter said.

Breeders' Cup mania is alive and well all over the Monmouth backstretch, and a graded stakes win is enough to set the dream machine in motion. Every local trainer with a horse who could possibly make the starting gate on Oct. 26 or Oct. 27 has a scenario already worked out to get there.

"To be realistic," Sleeter said, "she'd have to win the Cotillion for us to plan any further. But it's great being able to even start thinking about Breeders' Cup."

Talkin About Love is the first foal from She's Jane, a Sleeter Family-bred who won the filly division New Jersey Futurity in 1999, a year after her full brother Sprintzer took the male division.

Talkin About Love was able to win just once in five starts as a 2-year-old, but this year has been unstoppable. She's taken five straight now - three sprints and two at a mile or more - and handled her graded stakes debut with aplomb.

"She can sprint," Sleeter said, "but I think she's better going long. She's a big filly, and she's just been getting more mature as the season goes on."

Sleeter's mother, Carolyn, is listed as breeder of most of the family's racehorses, and his father, Gerry, is listed as owner of many. But Talkin About Love is all Kevin.

"I bred her, I own her and I train her," he said. "I even got to name her."

The name comes from the lyrics of the Led Zeppelin song "Trampled Underfoot" which extols the virtues of "Talkin' 'bout love, Oh I can't stop talkin' about love."

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August 14, 2007
BRAVO, PLETCHER, KAZAMIAS TOP MONMOUTH PARK STANDINGS
Monmouth Park.com

With three weeks to go in the 2007 Monmouth Park meeting, the race for leading jockey seems a near certainty, while the contest for top trainer and owner are still up for grabs.

With 60 of the 75 racing days in the books, Joe Bravo is in a very familiar spot - atop the rider standings.  From 319 mounts, Bravo has 93 victories as he goes for an unprecedented 13th riding title at the Oceanport racetrack.  Eddie Castro, with 70 wins, is second, 15 victories better than Jose Lezcano.  Rounding out the top five are Chuck C. Lopez with 53 wins, seven more than Rajiv Maragh.

Over in the trainer's race, Todd Pletcher continues to show the way with 29 wins, just four more than Jason Servis.  Servis, the leading trainer at the Meadowlands last season, has won 15 races over the past 30 days, visiting the winner's circle at an impressive 42% clip.

Bruce Levine is third in the trainer's race with 23 wins, one more than Richard Dutrow Jr.  Kelly John Breen, the top conditioner the past two seasons, and Patricia Farro are tied in fifth with 20 victories apiece.

The owner's race has Peter Kazamias atop the standings with 12 victories, three more than Patricia Generazio.  Tied in third are Presidential Thoroughbreds, Leo-Sag Stable and John Petrini, each with eight wins.

The 2007 Monmouth Park meeting concludes on Sunday, Sept. 2, with the Meadowlands opening for live racing on Monday, Sept 3.  Monmouth Park will reopen Oct. 24 - 27 as the racetrack hosts four days of racing, culminating with the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, Powered by Dodge.

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August 12, 2007
NEW JERSEY-BRED TALKIN ABOUT LOVE WINS THE MONMOUTH OAKS
Monmouth Park.com

TRENTON STAKES GOES TO MARINA BALLERINA

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Kevin Sleeter's Talkin About Love moved to the lead at the quarter pole and held all her rivals at bay, winning Sunday's $200,000 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks by a length and 3/4 before a crowd of 10,255.  First contested in 1871, the Monmouth Oaks is the oldest Oaks run in North America.

Sent off the third choice in the field of six 3-year-old fillies, Talkin About Love returned $7.80, $4.60 and $2.60 and topped a $106.40 exacta.  Longshot Scooter Girl closed from last to be second and paid $22.20 and $4.60.  It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to Lady Marlboro, who returned $2.60 to show.  The favorite, Exchanging Fire, who rode a two-race win streak into the Oaks, tired after setting the early fractions to finish fourth.

"She didn't mind getting behind horses at all," said winning jockey Stewart Elliott.  "When I was ready to go, she just took off.  I only rode her in her last race and she really impressed me.  She came out today and ran great.  She's a very talented filly and showed it."

Talkin About Love, by Not For Love from the Northern Idol mare She's Jane, covered the mile and a sixteenth over a fast main track in 1:43 3/5 and earned $120,000 for her efforts.  She has now banked $283,208 for her owner/trainer/breeder Kevin Sleeter, who indicated the Cotillion at Philly Park on Sept. 22 will be the filly's next start.

In the $60,000 Trenton Stakes, Marina Ballerina battled outside Sea the Joy throughout the 5 1/2 furlongs before besting that foe by a neck at the wire, covering the distance over "good" turf in 1:01 4/5.

Trained by Steve Margolis and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Marina Ballerina returned $6.40, $3.20 and $2.60.  Sea the Joy, the post-time favorite in the field of eight 3-year-old fillies, returned $2.80 and $2.60 and completed a $16.20 exacta.  Big Cat Walks Late closed for a $3.40 show mutuel.

The Trenton Stakes win marked the third in nine tries for the daughter of Outflanker from the Tactical Advantage mare Tactical Tracey.  She has now earned $112,892 for owner Robert L. Pastor.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, August 15 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always, the track is open seven days a week for simulcast racing from across the country and around the globe.

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August 11, 2007
SAFE PLAY WINS MY FRENCHMAN STAKES AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Safe Play, the longest shot in the field, outgamed John's Pic through the stretch for a neck victory in the $60,000 My Frenchman Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

The field for the race was reduced to just three starters when it was taken off the turf to be run on the fast main track. Safe Play, trained by Jason Servis and ridden by Chuck C. Lopez, paid $6.80 as the outsider after stopping the timer in 1:03 flat for the five and a half furlongs.

John's Pic, the even-money favorite, completed the $11.20 exacta. River City Rebel, the 6-5 second choice, finished third.

Safe Play, a 5-year-old son of Belong to Me, won his second straight at Monmouth since coming in from Kentucky. The My Frenchman was his first career stakes win, and the $36,000 winner's share brought his lifetime earnings to $217,035. The winner races for the partnership of LaMarca Stable & Stone Ridge Racing.

John's Pic broke on top, but was soon joined by Safe Play. John's Pic held the lead around the turn, but Safe Play asserted himself in the final furlong to take the lead, as John's Pic held stoutly to the end.

"He broke very good and we laid off the speed," Lopez said. "After that that, I let him do what he wanted to do. He battled on well through the stretch, and was able to prevail in a very professional effort."

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August 11, 2007
ISELIN, 2-YEAR-OLD TURF STAKES HIGHLIGHT WEEKEND RACING
Monmouth Park.com

Older horses and juveniles will be in the spotlight next weekend, as Monmouth presents the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) on Saturday, August 18, and two turf tests for 2-year-olds on Saturday and Sunday.

The mile and an eighth Iselin, which will have its 72nd running, will draw some runners hoping to amass enough points in graded races to make it into the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge that will be run here on Oct. 27.

Among the nominees expected to run are Monmouth stakes winners Indy Wind and Gotcha Gold; graded stakes winner Master Command; Delaware stakes winner Barcola, and graded stakes-placed Brother Bobby.

Juveniles will get a chance to show their turf skills in the $60,000 Continental Mile on Saturday and the $60,000 Junior Champion for fillies on Sunday, Aug. 19. Both races are run at one mile on the grass.

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August 9, 2007
CABLE BOY, IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY HEADED FOR PA. DERBY
Monmouth Park.com

Imawildandcrazyguy and Cable Boy, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively, behind Any Given Saturday, Hard Spun and Curlin in last Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage, will use Monmouth Park as a base to prepare for the Pennsylvania Derby. The $1 million, Grade 2 event at nine furlongs will be run on Monday, Sept. 3 at Philly Park.

Bill Kaplan, who trains Imawildandcrazyguy for Lewis Pell and Michael Eigner, is back at his Calder Race Course base, but has assistant Alfredo Guzman staying at Monmouth with the gray gelding.

Imawildandcrazyguy, who also finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby behind Hard Spun and Curlin, with Any Given Saturday eighth, earned $60,000 for his Haskell run.

Kaplan feels it may be time to give him a little bit of a break after four Grade 1 starts this year (Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Haskell).

“Right now I’m leaning towards sending him to the Pennyslvania Derby,” Kaplan said, “although I wouldn’t rule out the Travers if the race were to come up light or Street Sense didn’t run for some reason. We’ll nominate to both. But the Pennsylvania Derby is more likely.”

Cable Boy, who came into the Haskell unbeaten in three starts with a Monmouth track record to his credit, showed his good speed to the stretch, but then tired the last furlong to finish fifth, a total of 12 lengths behind Any Given Saturday.

John Forbes, who shares training of the Jump Start colt with Pat McBurney, said Cable Boy came back after the race with a condition called the “thumps,” an electrolyte imbalance that produces a hiccup-like reaction and interferes with normal breathing.

“When he came back to be unsaddled after the race, I put my hand on his body and I could feel the thumping,” Forbes said. “By Monday morning, he was tearing the barn down, like he never ran.

“Over the years, I’ve had a few horses get the thumps. But it’s frustrating because there’s no treatment for it, and no way to prevent it. They say it shouldn’t happen again, but who knows.”

Forbes said the colt was full of life again the past two mornings, leading him to consider the Pa. Derby as his next start.

“Assuming he’s as good as we thought he was,” Forbes said, “the Pennsylvania Derby is his next start.” 

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August 8, 2007
TALENT SEARCH, 4-5, TAKES TEDDY DRONE STAKES AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

SUAVE JAZZ, WHO’S THE COWBOY RALLY LATE TO TAKE 2ND AND 3RD

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Talent Search, the 4-5 favorite, broke like a shot and never looked back, drawing off to win Wednesday’s $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes by six and a quarter lengths at Monmouth Park.

The winner, trained by Mark Shuman and ridden by Ryan Fogelsonger, stepped the six furlongs over a fast track in 1:08 4/5 and paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.40 across the board.

Suave Jazz and Who’s the Cowboy, who trailed most of the way, rallied to get the second and third spots, one length apart, with Joey P., the 5-2 second choice, tiring to be fourth in the field of five older sprinters.

This was the third win of the year in six starts for Talent Search, a 4-year-old by Catienus who races in the colors of Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey. He was coming off a second behind Diabolical in the Maryland Sprint Handicap on May 19.

“He lost a shoe in his last race,” Shuman said, “and just lost to who I think is the the best sprinter in the country (Diabolical). About 30 days after that race, we discovered that he had a real deep foot bruise and we gave it time to heal. He was only about 80 percent for this race ahd he ran great. The plan, as of now, is to get back here for the Breeders’ Cup (Sprint on Oct. 27)."

Talent Search won the Jim McKay Stakes at Pimlico in April for his first stakes score. This was his biggest payday ever, and the $60,000 winner’s share of the Teddy Drone brought his career earnings to $223,360 on a record of 6-2-1 in 11 starts.

The race was over as soon as it began as Talent Search surged out of the starting gate and took command. Joey P. and Herecomeshollywood chased him around the turn, but tired from their efforts, allowing Suave Jazz and Who’s the Cowboy to take over the second and third spots with late runs.

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August 6, 2007
ANY GIVEN SATURDAY IN FINE FETTLE FOLLOWING HASKELL ROMP
Monmouth Park.com

CURLIN BACK AT THE SPA, HARD SPUN IN DELAWARE

Oceanport, N.J. - After his 4 1/2 length score in Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational presented by Vonage, Any Given Saturday was reported to be in perfect shape following the race and will leave Monmouth Park on Tuesday morning and head back to Saratoga, according to Anthony Sciametta Jr., Todd Pletcher's assistant trainer at Monmouth.

After stalking the early leaders, Any Given Saturday angled off the fence for the stretch drive and powered past the pacesetters to open up a daylight lead in the Grade 1 Haskell.  Building on a dominating win in the Dwyer at Belmont Park on July 4, Any Given Saturday placed himself squarely in contention for championship honors following his Haskell victory.

Haskell runner-up Hard Spun headed home following his second place finish in the Haskell.  His connections reported that he came out of the race in good shape and is back at the Delaware Park headquarters of trainer Larry Jones.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said that Preakness winner Curlin is back at his Saratoga base and came out of the Haskell in fine shape.  The conditioner said that he has not made any decision on where the Classic winner will make his next start.

Curlin sat fifth through the early stages of the race before moving around the far turn.  He was beaten a head by Hard Spun for second.

Cable Boy, the local hope in the Haskell, who was a perfect 3-for-3 entering Sunday's race, set the early pace before fading in the stretch and finishing fifth.

"He came out of the race very good," said trainer Patrick McBurney.  "We have it in the back of our minds to go to the Pennsylvania Derby (Sept. 3 at Philly Park), but we'll give it a couple days or a week and make a decision."

A pair of records fell at Monmouth Park on Haskell Day as $3,734,404 was bet on the Haskell itself, besting $3,726,562 that was wagered on the race in 2003.  Total handle for the 14-race Haskell program hit $14,122,636 - an all-time record for the state of New Jersey.  Sunday's handle eclipsed the old record of $12,845,920 set on last year's Haskell card. 

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August 5, 2007
ROSHANI, 11-10, RALLIES TO WIN TAYLOR MADE MATCHMAKER; SILENT ROAR TAKES OCEANPORT ON HASKELL DAY UNDERCARD
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Roshani and Silent Roar employed similar come-from-behind tactics to win the two graded stakes on turf that highlighted the Haskell Day undercard at Monmouth Park. There were six stakes races before the main event on Sunday.

Roshani, the 11-10 favorite, took the $150,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares by three lengths, while Silent Roar, who set a track record, captured the $150,000 Oceanport Stakes.

Roshani, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Garrett Gomez, scored her first stakes victory in the Matchmaker. She stepped the mile and an eighth over firm turf in 1:47 2/5 and paid $4.20, $3.20 and $2.80 across the board.

Trick's Pic, a 17-1 shot, rallied to be second, a half-length before Humoristic, a 24-1 shot who made most of the pace. Trick's Pic paid $8 and $6 to place and show and completed the $48 exacta. Humoristic was $6 to show.

Roshani, a 4-year-old daughter of Fantastic Light, broke her maiden on grass at Gulfstream in March and won her first start here on May 28. Last out, she was third in the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes.

The filly, owned by Ben McElroy, earned a winner's prize of $90,000 and also won a season to a Taylor Made stallion.

It was the second stakes win of the day for Garrett Gomez, who took the Jersey Derby aboard Buddy's Humor earlier on the card.

"We've been high on this filly," Pletcher said. "I was concerned about the way the race would set up, because there didn't appear to be a lot of speed. I told Garrett to do what he feels. She had to move a little earlier than Garrett would have liked, but she was good enough to overcome that."

Silent Roar, owned and trained by Michael Moran, made a big outside move in the stretch and ran down Kiss the Kid for a one-length victory in the Oceanport. Kip Deville, the 6-5 favorite, had to settle for third, a neck farther back.

Stewart Elliott rode the winner, who set a course record with his clocking of 1:38.99 for the mile and a sixteenth over the firm turf. The time eclipsed the record of 1:40.06 set by Three Valleys here last year on Haskell Day.

Silent Roar, sent off the third choice in the field of eight, paid $12.20, $6 and $3.20 across the board, and topped a $178 exacta with Kiss the Kid, who went off at 26-1 and paid $19.20 and $7 to place and show. Kip Deville returned $2.80 to show.

This was the second Monmouth score this year for Silent Roar, a 4-year-old son of Unbridled's Song, who won an allowance race here in May. It was his first victory in a graded stakes.

"He has a lot of talent," Moran said. "You just don't know which horse will show up, the aggressive type or the one that wants to lay back. Stewart (jockey Elliott) knows this horse and did everything right."

"Mike said the horse will probably sit about five or six lengths off the pace," the rider said. "We ended up sitting a few more lengths off of it today, but we got a good trip. When I asked him, he really picked it up for me."

In the $100,000 Regret Stakes for fillies and mares, Oprah Winney, the 3-5 favorite, took the lead soon after the start and never looked back, scoring by three and a quarter lengths over Sweet Fervor, the second choice in the field of seven.

Oprah Winney, trained by Richard Dutrow Jr. and ridden by Edgar Prado, stepped the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 1/5 and paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10 across the board.

Sweet Fervor finished two and a half lengths before Cherokee Jewel and completed the $7.60 exacta.

Pure Disco, who was expected to battle for the lead, lost jockey Daniel Centeno at the break.

Oprah Winney, a 4-year-old daughter of Royal Academy owned by Dubb, Goldfarb et al, was coming off a second in the Grade 2 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont. She won the Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel in February. This was her first race at Monmouth, but likely not her last. She is eligible to return in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint here on Oct. 26.

"We thought Pure Disco was the speed and we wanted to sit right off her," Dutrow said. "But she lost the rider and our horse broke so good, we had to stay on the lead. She has been training better than ever and keeps getting better and better. One of the reasons we ran here was to get a start over the track for a visit back in a couple of months (the Breeders' Cup race)."

In the $100,000 Lady's Secret Stakes for fillies and mares, Silly Goose Racing Stable's Prop Me Up made a big late run on the inside under Joe Bravo to score by nearly two lengths over Tap Gold. Victory Pool was third, a neck farther back, in the field of seven.

The winner, trained by Gregg Sacco, stopped the timer in 1:44 4/5 for the mile and a sixteenth on the fast main track, and paid $3.80, $2.20 and $2.10 as part of the favored entry with Cachinnated. Prop Me Up topped a $13.20 exacta with Tap Gold, the 7-2 third choice.

Prop Me Up, a 5-year-old mare by Reparations, won her last start here on July 19 when trained by Kelly Breen. She shifted to Sacco's stable two weeks ago, and this was her first start in the new barn.

"We just got these fillies two weeks ago," Sacco said. "They came to us in great shape. She's such a nice filly. When Joe asked, she responded like she always does."

In the $100,000 Jersey Derby, Kingfield Stables' Buddy's Humor, the 4-5 favorite in the field of seven 3-year-olds, went to the lead early, set moderate fractions throughout, and had plenty left to hold off all stretch challenges as he won by three lengths.

Buddy's Humor, trained by Bruce Levine and ridden by Garrett Gomez, stepped the mile and a sixteenth over firm turf in 1:41 3/5, and paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.20 across the board. Chaluwitcane, a 10-1 chance, finished second by nearly two lengths over French Vintage, the 7-2 second choice, to complete the $25.80 exacta.

This was the second turf win in three tries for the winner, a colt by Distorted Humor who broke his maiden first time on the grass on June 10 at Belmont. Last out, he was second in the Lexington Stakes on the Belmont turf.

In the $65,000 Lincroft Handicap for New Jersey-breds, jockey Chuck C. Lopez rode his fourth winner of the day as he turned in a front-running performance aboard Salvatore Racing Stable's Fagedaboudit Sal.

The winner, trained by Luis Carvajal Jr., stepped the mile and 70 yards in 1:41 1/5 and returned $9.60, $4.80 and $3.60 across the board as third choice in the field of nine.

Carrots Only, the second choice, finished second, two and a quarter lengths behind the winner and nearly eight lengths before Rolled Up to complete the $39.20 exacta. Meadow Blue, the 9-5 favorite, was unplaced.

This was the fifth victory at Monmouth for Fagedaboudit Sal, a 4-year-old son of Yarrow Brae who won the Bernie Dowd Handicap here in June.

Lopez won the fourth race on Hermosillo, the sixth on Bythebeautifulsea and the ninth on Shopton Lane before taking the Lincroft.

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August 5, 2007
ANY GIVEN SATURDAY SCORES SMASHING VICTORY IN HASKELL OVER HARD SPUN, CURLIN; BETTING RECORDS SET AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Any Given Saturday put himself squarely in the championship picture on Sunday at Monmouth Park as he scored a sensational victory over Hard Spun and Curlin in the 40th running of the $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage (G1).

With Garrett Gomez riding the perfect tactical race, Any Given Saturday rolled home by four and a half lengths over Hard Spun, with Preakness winner Curlin, the 9-10 favorite, a head farther back in third. It was the second straight Haskell victory for Todd Pletcher, the nation's leading trainer, and WinStar Farm, which owns the winner in partnership with Padua Stables. They took last year's running with Bluegrass Cat.

An enthusiastic crowd of 43,106 - fifth largest in track history - was on hand in perfect summer weather, and contributed to record wagering on the day. An all-time New Jersey high of $14,122,636 was bet on Monmouth's 14-race program, and wagering on the Haskell hit a record $3,734,404. The total wagering easily surpassed the previous all-time state high of $12,845,920 set last year, and Haskell betting rose to a record level from the 2003 mark of $3,726,562.

"Everything exceeded our expectations," said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, which owns and operates Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands. "Not only did we have spectacular weather, but a tremendous crowd, and a great racing card. If today is any indication of what lies ahead, we're in very, very good shape for the rest of the meet, the Breeders' Cup and beyond."

Any Given Saturday, a colt by Distorted Humor - Weekend in Indy, by A.P. Indy, raced the mile and an eighth over a fast main track in 1:48.35 and paid $5.60, $4 and $2.10 across the board as the second choice in the field of seven 3-year-olds.

Hard Spun, the Kentucky Derby second who went off at odds of $4.80-1, paid $5 to place and $2.10 to show and completed the $24.20 exacta. Curlin returned $2.10 to show.

Any Given Saturday ran himself right into 3-year-old championship consideration, a position he would cement with a victory in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge that will be run at Monmouth Park on Oct. 27.

"The way he ran today," Pletcher said, "the Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth is now our goal. We'll work out his schedule to get to the Breeders' Cup.

"Using Curlin and Hard Spun as how you judge the 3-year-olds, he beat them convincingly today," Pletcher said. "Obviously, he's as good as any 3-year-old in the crop."

The race unfolded like many thought it would, with Cable Boy grabbing the early lead and Hard Spun settling in behind. Gomez placed Any Given Saturday on the rail heading into the first turn, and bided his time until the stretch turn.

ard Spun made the first move to go by Cable Boy at the quarter-pole, but Any Given Saturday swung out three wide and cruised past Hard Spun as Cable Boy retreated. Curlin made a late move, but could not get past Hard Spun the final sixteenth of a mile.

"It really all went to plan," Gomez said. "I saw Xchanger and Curlin make early moves and I was still sitting on the inside. At the quarter-pole I angled out to come after the leaders."

Imawildandcrazyguy closed to be fourth, three and a half lengths behind Curlin and four lengths in front of Cable Boy, who tired from his early pacesetting efforts. Xchanger was nearly two lengths farther back, and two lengths in front of Reata's Shadow who trailed throughout.

Any Given Saturday came out of the Kentucky Derby (where he was eighth) with a bruised foot, but his two starts since have been very strong. He won the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont by four lengths as preparation for the Haskell.

"He came out of the Derby with a pretty good foot bruise," Pletcher said. "In his two races since, he's been extra special."

"I knew he was a better horse than he showed in the Derby," Gomez said. "From that time, Todd got him going in the right direction. When I sat atop him in the Dwyer, he was a different horse. He was the same today, and I was very confident."

Any Given Saturday earned $600,000 for his Haskell victory, bringing his lifetime total to $989,213. This was his fifth career win in nine starts.

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August 4, 2007
STORMELLO DEVELOPS COLIC AFTER SHIPPING, OUT OF HASKELL; HARD SPUN GETS FIRST LOOK AT MONMOUTH IN MORNING GALLOP
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - The field for Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage was reduced to seven Saturday morning when Stormello, who had shipped from California on Friday, developed colic Friday night and was taken to a veterinary clinic.  Hard Spun, the Kentucky derby second, galloped Saturday morning after arriving Friday afternoon. Curlin, the Preakness winner who will be favored in the mile and an eighth event will carry topweight of 122 pounds. All other starters carry 118 pounds, as the race is being run under allowance conditions for the second time. The field for the 40th running of the Haskell - the richest invitational event run in North America - follows, in post position order, with jockey and morning line odds.

ANY GIVEN SATURDAY (Post 1, Garrett Gomez, 3-1) - The Todd Pletcher-trained colt had an easy gallop over the Monmouth track Friday morning under the supervision of Anthony Sciametta Jr., Pletcher's assistant here. Sciametta's wife, Madeline, was aboard.

"All the work is done," Scuiametta said. "Todd will be here to saddle him tomorrow."

Any Given Saturday, daylight winner of the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont in his last start on July 4, schooled in the paddock here three days in a row.
 
CABLE BOY (Post 2, Jose Velez Jr., 8-1) - The unbeaten son of Jump Start jogged one mile and galloped one mile Saturday morning. He schooled in the paddock at the same time as Curlin before Friday's fifth race.

The Pat McBurney-trained local hero, who set the track record for a mile and 70 yards in his second career race, has not started since winning the Coronado's Quest Stakes on June 24. He had his last breeze for the Haskell, a half-mile in :48, on Wednesday morning.
 

STORMELLO (Post 3, Eddie Castro, 15-1) - The colt, who left his California base at 1 a.m. Friday, finally arrived at Monmouth Park at 5:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. He developed colic soon after and was sent to the Midlantic Equine Clinic in Ringoes, N.J., under the care of Dr. Rick Duran.  He has been withdrawn from the Haskell.

IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY (Post 4, Manoel Cruz, 30-1) - The gray son of Wild Event finished his Haskell preparations by galloping a mile and a half over the Monmouth track Friday morning with exercise rider Felicity Waugh aboard.

The Bill Kaplan-trained runner is the most experienced horse in the Haskell field with 14 career starts. Imawildandcrazyguy won his most recent outing, an allowance race at Calder on July 14, and his first race with Manoel Cruz aboard. He ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Belmont in his two Triple Crown starts.
 
REATA'S SHADOW (Post 5, Joe Bravo, 50-1) - The Haskell longshot galloped once around the track Saturday morning.

Reata's Shadow, trained by Joe Orseno, has two lifetime wins, both at Monmouth, and is a deep closer in the field hoping for an ultra-fast early pace.
 
CURLIN (Post 6, Robby Albarado, even-money) - The Steve Asmussen-trained Preakness winner galloped one mile on the Monmouth track Saturday morning with Carmen Rosas aboard.

Curlin was calm and collected when he schooled in the paddock Friday morning as part of his preparation for the Haskell.

The colt, who finished second by a head in the Belmont Stakes in his most recent race on June 9, has been training at Saratoga for the Haskell, which represents his first start on the road to the Breeders Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge, to be run at Monmouth on Oct. 27.
 
HARD SPUN (Post 7, Mario Pino, 5-2) - The Larry Jones-trained colt, who arrived at Monmouth early Friday afternoon from Delaware, was out on the track for a gallop Saturday morning with Jones as the exercise rider.

Jones said the son of Danzig is doing well and appeared to like the local strip after getting his first look at it.

Hard Spun, who finished ahead of Curlin when second in the Kentucky Derby and then behind that colt in the Preakness and Belmont, had his final Haskell prep last Friday, breezing six furlongs in 1:12.80 at Delaware.

Seen as one of the main speed horses in this year's Haskell, Hard Spun won the Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park with a stalking trip, six weeks before he tried for a front-running victory in the Derby.
 

XCHANGER (Post 8, Edgar Prado, 20-1) - The gray son of Exchange Rate is scheduled to arrive early Sunday morning after a van ride from trainer Mark Shuman's Fair Hill, Maryland, barn.

Xchanger, who won the Barbaro Stakes at Delaware last out on July 15, is unbeaten in two starts at Monmouth. He broke his maiden here last year, and then won the Grade 3 Sapling Stakes. He will try to become the first horse since Bet Twice in 1986-87 to complete the Sapling-Haskell double at Monmouth.

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August 3, 2007
$1 MILLION HASKELL INVITATIONAL TOPS SEVEN STAKES SUNDAY
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, MATCHMAKER HIGHLIGHT 14-RACE MONMOUTH CARD

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Monmouth will offer the best racing card of the year Sunday when the $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage tops a 14-race program worth a total of $1,981,000 in purses.

The Grade 1 Haskell, which drew a field of eight for its 40th running, goes as the 13th race on the card with a post time of 6:12 p.m. With the eight starters drawn on Thursday, the Haskell will have a total value of $1,020,000.

Haskell Day at Monmouth, which includes a Haskell cap giveaway to all paid admissions, gets underway early. Gates open at 10 a.m., with the first race scheduled to go off at 12 noon.

Topping the undercard stakes are the $150,000 Oceanport and the $150,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker, both Grade 3 tests on the turf.

The Oceanport, set as the eighth race, drew a field of older turf horses headed by Kip Deville, a Grade 1 winner for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. who has been racing in California this year. Local hopes in the mile and a sixteenth Oceanport are Presious Passion, winner of last year's Jersey Derby; Kiss the Kid, a three-timer winner at Monmouth, and Victory Alleged, who won the Majestic Prince Stakes here last year.

The Taylor Made Matchmaker, which offers stallion seasons to the first three finishers in addition to the purse money, drew a field of nine fillies and mares. The race, set as the 12th on the card, is headed by graded stakes winner Silver Charades.

The other stakes races offered Sunday are the $100,000 Jersey Derby (10th race) for 3-year-olds on the grass; the $100,000 Regret Stakes (third race) for fillies and mares at six furlongs; the $100,000 Lady's Secret (fifth race) for fillies and mares at a mile and a sixteenth, and the $65,000 Lincroft Handicap (11th race) for New Jersey-breds at a mile and 70 yards.

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August 3, 2007
HARD SPUN, STORMELLO ARRIVE TODAY FOR SUNDAY’S HASKELL; CURLIN, ANY GIVEN SATURDAY PADDOCK SCHOOL FOR GRADE 1 TEST
Monmouth Park.com

ANY GIVEN SATURDAY (Post 1, Garrett Gomez, 3-1) – The Todd Pletcher-trained colt galloped a mile and a quarter over the Monmouth track Friday morning under the supervision of Anthony Sciametta Jr., Pletcher’s assistant here. Sciametta’s wife, Madeline, was aboard.

Any Given Saturday, daylight winner of the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont in his last start on July 4, was scheduled to school in the paddock at 11:30 a.m. for the third day in a row. The son of Distorted Humor had his final Haskell breeze at Belmont last Sunday, a half-mile in :49.20.
 
CABLE BOY (Post 2, Jose Velez Jr., 8-1) – The unbeaten son of Jump Start jogged two miles Friday morning, and was scheduled to school in the paddock before the fifth race.

The Pat McBurney-trained local hero, who set the track record for a mile and 70 yards in his second career race, has not started since winning the Coronado’s Quest Stakes on June 24. He had his last breeze for the Haskell, a half-mile in :48, on Wednesday morning.
 
STORMELLO (Post 3, Eddie Castro, 15-1) – The well-traveled colt was scheduled to make his fifth cross-country flight of the season early Friday morning from his California base, arriving at Monmouth late Friday afternoon.

Bill Currin, the breeder, owner and trainer of the Stormy Atlantic colt, says Stormello has more frequent flyer miles than he does.

Stormello, who won the Grade 1 Hollywood Futurity last December but is winless in four starts as a 3-year-old, has been working at Del Mar since he ran third in the Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont on June 9.

IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY (Post 4, Manoel Cruz, 30-1) – The gray son of Wild Event galloped a mile and a half over the Monmouth track Friday morning with exercise rider Felicity Waugh aboard.

The Bill Kaplan-trained runner is the most experienced horse in the Haskell field with 14 career starts. Imawildandcrazyguy won his most recent outing, an allowance race at Calder on July 14, and his first race with Manoel Cruz aboard. He ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Belmont in his two Triple Crown starts.

REATA’S SHADOW (Post 5, Joe Bravo, 50-1) – The Haskell longshot was on the track for a light jog Friday morning.

Trainer Joe Orseno let him open gallop on Thursday morning, and the Include colt was timed in :42 for the last three-eighths of his mile and a half gallop.

Reata’s Shadow has two lifetime wins, both at Monmouth, and is a deep closer in the field hoping for an ultra-fast early pace.

The colt never started at 2 because “he didn’t show me he wanted to be a 2-year-old,” Orseno said. “He was slow developing. But when he finally got to the races, he ran a helluva race in his first start (a mile at Gulfstream on Jan. 27).

“It took me some time to figure him out, but now I think I have,” the trainer said. “He’s relaxed, I’m relaxed going into this race. We’re 50-1 so there’s no pressure.”

CURLIN (Post 6, Robby Albarado, even-money) – The Steve Asmussen-trained Preakness winner was out on the Monmouth track Friday morning under the supervision of assistant trainer Scott Blasi.

The big chestnut son of Smart Strike schooled at the gate, and then galloped once around the Monmouth oval with Carmen Rosas aboard.

Curlin, who finished second by a head in the Belmont Stakes in his most recent race on June 9, has been training at Saratoga for the Haskell, which represents his first start on the road to the Breeders Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge, to be run at Monmouth on Oct. 27.

HARD SPUN (Post 7, Mario Pino, 5-2) – The Larry Jones-trained colt was due to arrive at Monmouth Park at noon Friday after a van ride from Delaware Park.

The son of Danzig, who finished ahead of Curlin when second in the Kentucky Derby and then behind that colt in the Preakness and Belmont, had his final Haskell prep last Friday, breezing six furlongs in 1:12.80 at Delaware.

Seen as one of the main speed horses in this year’s Haskell, Hard Spun won the Lane’s End Stakes at Turfway Park with a stalking trip, six weeks before he tried for a front-running victory in the Derby.

XCHANGER (Post 8, Edgar Prado, 20-1) – The gray son of Exchange Rate is scheduled to arrive early Sunday morning after a van ride from trainer Mark Shuman’s Fair Hill, Maryland, barn.

Xchanger, who won the Barbaro Stakes at Delaware last out on July 15, is unbeaten in two starts at Monmouth. He broke his maiden here last year, and then won the Grade 3 Sapling Stakes. He will try to become the first horse since Bet Twice in 1985-86 to complete the Sapling-Haskell double at Monmouth.

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July 31, 2007
CURLIN, IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY TURN IN FINAL WORKS; ANY GIVEN SATURDAY ON THE GROUNDS FOR SUNDAY'S HASKELL
Monmouth Park.com

It was a busy Tuesday for several of the horses that will contest Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational presented by Vonage.  Arriving this morning from Belmont Park was Dwyer (G2) winner Any Given Saturday, who was bedded down with the Todd Pletcher string on the Monmouth Park backstretch.

Up at Saratoga, Preakness winner Curlin turned in his final work for the Grade 1 Haskell - going four furlongs in :49 2/5.  About 1,000 miles south of Saratoga, Imawildandcrazyguy also put in his final work for the mile and an eighth Haskell, going six furlongs at Calder in 1:13 4/5.  Both horses are expected at Monmouth on Wednesday.

Those expected for the mile and an eighth Haskell are:
 
ANY GIVEN SATURDAY - The son of Distorted Humor vanned down from Belmont Park on Tuesday morning and will school in the Monmouth Park paddock on Wednesday and Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and noon.

The colt worked four furlongs in :49 1/5 on Sunday morning at Belmont.
 
CABLE BOY - The undefeated colt by Jump Start will have his final Haskell work around 7:20 on Wednesday morning.  The Pat McBurney trainee is expected to go four furlongs just after the break.

Cable Boy is a perfect 3-for-3 at Monmouth, winning the Coronado's Quest Stakes here on June 24.  He holds the track record for a mile and 70 yards (1:38.78), set in his second career start.

CURLIN - The Preakness winner had his final tune up this morning at his Saratoga base.

"He went in :49.51," said trainer Steve Asmussen.  "It was excellent.  Everything is perfect.  He leaves in the morning."

Curlin will van down to Monmouth Park with Asmussen's assistant Scott Blasi.

HARD SPUN - The Kentucky Derby runner-up will arrive at Monmouth Park on Friday and gallop over the track on Saturday.  Trainer Larry Jones worked the Danzig colt last Friday, going six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 at Delaware Park.

IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY - The Wild Event gelding went 1:13 4/5 for six furlongs at Calder on Tuesday morning.

"He leaves here at 5:30 tomorrow morning," said trainer Bill Kaplan from his Calder headquarters.  "He worked very well this morning and everything is on schedule for Sunday."

XCHANGER - The Exchange Rate colt worked five furlongs in 1:02 flat at his Fair Hill base on Sunday morning.  Trained by Mark Shuman, Xchanger is expected at Monmouth later in the week.
 
STORMELLO - Winner of last year's Hollywood Futurity (G1) at Hollywood Park, the Bill Currin trainee is still considered a possible for Sunday's Haskell.

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July 29, 2007
NEW YORK CITY GIRL SPLASHES HOME IN SUNDAY'S COLLEEN STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Gold Square's New York City Girl sat off the early pace of Rubies R Forever, before overtaking that foe at the top of the lane and drawing off to a 2 3/4 length score in the $60,000 Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, New York City Girl covered the 5 1/2 furlongs over a sloppy main track in 1:04 flat and returned $4.40 and $3.40 as the second choice.  Expect the End completed a $37.60 exacta and paid $4.40.  It was 9 1/4 lengths back to favorite Dubit in third with pacesetter Rubies R Forever fading to fourth and last.

"She broke sharply - right out on top," said winning rider Chris DeCarlo.  "Then I saw the inside horse hustling to the lead so I decided to sit off of her.  Once we hit the lead, we cruised home."

It was the second win in as many tries for the 2-year-old filly by Forest Camp from the Ocean Crest mare Silk Sails.  She has now earned $57,600 for her connections.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, Aug. 1 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcast racing from across the country and around the globe.

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July 29, 2007
XCHANGER TURNS IN FINAL WORK FOR SUNDAY'S HASKELL
Monmouth Park.com

Xchanger, winner of last year's Sapling Stakes at Monmouth, put in his final workout for Sunday's $1 million Haskell Invitational presented by Vonage when the colt by Exchange Rate worked five-eighths in 1:02 flat at Fair Hill training center in Maryland this morning.

"He breezed great and galloped out strong," said trainer Mark Shuman, who conditions Xchanger and is part owner with Circle Z Stables and Joseph Masone.  "It was a great workout and everything is on schedule for the Haskell."

A striking gray colt from the Crafty Prospector mare Saragoza, Xchanger was a first out winner last year here, before taking the Sapling.  He rounded out his 2-year-old campaign with a 6th place finish in the Champagne (G1), before running 3rd in the Nashua (G3) and 3rd in the $1 million Delta Jackpot (G3).

He kicked off his 3-year-old season at Oaklawn Park, running 5th in the Southwest to Teuflesberg and then 7th in the Rebel (G3) to Curlin.  After just over a months rest, Xchanger returned to the winner's circle, taking the Federico Tesio at Pimlico and stamping his ticket into this year's Preakness, where he finished 8th after setting the early pace.  Last out Xchanger captured the Barbaro Stakes (G3) at Delaware, besting King of the Roxy by a length. 

Xchanger is expected to arrive at Monmouth late in the week and will have the services of Edgar Prado in Sunday's Haskell.  Prado, winner of the 2003 Haskell atop Peace Rules, was aboard Xchanger for the colt's win in the Barbaro.

A field of six to seven appears to be shaping up for the mile and an eighth Haskell, the centerpiece of Monmouth's race meet.  In addition to Xchanger, those pointed for the Haskell are:

ANY GIVEN SATURDAY - Winner of the Dwyer Stakes (G2) at Belmont on July 4.  The Todd Pletcher trainee is likely to have his final breeze on Monday morning at Belmont Park.
 
CABLE BOY - The undefeated colt by Jump Start worked a mile on Thursday and will have his final work on Tuesday morning.  Trained by Pat McBurney, Cable Boy is a perfect 3-for-3, including the Coronado's Quest Stakes last out.

CURLIN - The Preakness winner is set to have his final tune up on Tuesday morning, before shipping to Monmouth on Wednesday from his Saratoga base.
 
HARD SPUN - Trainer Larry Jones worked the Kentucky Derby runner-up on Friday morning, breezing six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 at Delaware Park.  The colt by Danzig is scheduled to arrive at Monmouth on Friday and gallop over the Monmouth strip on Saturday morning.
 
IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY - Fourth in the Kentucky Derby, the Wild Event gelding was an allowance winner last out at Calder on July 14 and is slated to arrive in Oceanport on Wednesday.

Stormello, winner of last year's Hollywood Futurity (G1), is considered a possible for the Haskell.  The Bill Currin trainee just missed in the Fountain of Youth (G2) earlier this year before running 4th in the Florida Derby and 19th in the Kentucky Derby.  Last out he was third in the Woody Stephens (G2) at Belmont, beaten less than three lengths by Teuflesberg.

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July 28, 2007
HARD SPUN DRILLS AT DEL.; CURLIN, CABLE BOY BREEZE TUESDAY
Monmouth Park.com

The field for the $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage (G1) continues to prepare for next Sunday's mile and an eighth event, with Hard Spun breezing Friday and Imawildandcrazyguy working Thursday. Other candidates are scheduled to work early next week. The prospective field for the 40th running of the Haskell:

ANY GIVEN SATURDAY - The Todd Pletcher-trained colt, winner of the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont on July 4, is likely to have his final Haskell breeze on Monday at Belmont Park, where he is stabled. The Distorted Humor colt had a fast drill last Monday at Belmont, getting five furlongs in :59.40, best of 12 works at the distance. He's scheduled to arrive at Monmouth, where Pletcher maintains a large string, either Friday or Saturday.
 
CABLE BOY - The unbeaten Jump Start colt breezed a mile in 1:44 on Thursday morning and is scheduled to blow out a half-mile on Tuesday. Trainer Pat McBurney said regular rider Jose Velez Jr. will be aboard for the breeze. Cable Boy is the only Haskell starter stabled at Monmouth.

CURLIN - Trainer Steve Asmussen had his Preakness winner breeze six furlongs in 1:14 last Tuesday at Saratoga, and the Smart Strike colt is slated to have his final Haskell prep this Tuesday morning at the Spa. Curlin, who was second in the Belmont Stakes last out, will be shipped to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, Asmussen said.

HARD SPUN - The Danzig colt breezed six furlongs in 1:12.40 on Friday morning at Delaware Park with trainer Larry Jones aboard. It was his second straight drill at the distance, following a 1:14.20 move at Delaware on July 16.

Jones said Hard Spun will be vanned to Monmouth from Delaware on Friday, and get in a gallop on the track Saturday.

IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY - The gray gelding by Wild Event breezed three furlongs in :37.30 on Thursday morning at his Calder Race Course base. The Bill Kaplan trainee, fourth in the Kentucky Derby, won an allowance race at Calder in his most recent start on July 14.

XCHANGER - The Exchange Rate colt, winner of the Barbaro Stakes at Delaware Park last out on July 15, is scheduled to work on Sunday at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland, trainer Mark Shuman said. Xchanger has won both his starts at Monmouth, breaking his maiden here last year, and then winning the Sapling Stakes (G3).

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July 28, 2007
OCEANPORT, MATCHMAKER TOP 7 STAKES ON HASKELL UNDERCARD
Monmouth Park.com

While the $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage will hold the spotlight on Sunday, Aug. 5, the 14-race card includes seven other stakes races that will make it the best racing program of the year here prior to the Breeders' Cup days.

Topping the list of supporting stakes are the $150,000 Oceanport Stakes (G3) and the $150,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes (G3), both on the turf. The Oceanport, at a mile and a sixteenth, will draw the best older grass horses available. The Taylor Made Matchmaker, a unique event that offers stallion seasons to the first three finishers in addition to purse money, is run at a mile and an eighth for fillies and mares.

The $100,000 Jersey Derby will match 3-year-olds on the grass at a mile and a sixteenth.

Fillies and mares have their chance in the $100,000 Regret Stakes at six furlongs and the $100,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth.

Older sprinters match strides in the $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes, and New Jersey-breds will be featured in the $65,000 Lincroft Handicap at a mile and 70 yards.

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July 28, 2007
INDY WIND, 4-5, LEADS THROUGHOUT TO CAPTURE SKIP AWAY; LANTANA MOB, 6-5, SCORES IN TYRO STAKES AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Hardacre Farm's Indy Wind, front-running winner of the $70,000 Skip Away Stakes, and Vinery Stables & Tom Ludt's Lantana Mob, who captured the $60,000 Tyro Stakes, ran themselves into graded stakes berths at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

In the Skip Away, Indy Wind ran a surprisingly different race as he went to the front at the start under jockey Mario Madrid and held the advantage all the way to win by three lengths as part of the Amy Tarrant-trained entry favored at 4-5. He's now a prime candidate for the Grade 3 Iselin on Aug. 18.

It was the fifth win in nine starts at Monmouth for Indy Wind, a 5-year-old son of A.P. Indy who stepped the mile and a sixteenth in 1:41 1/5 and paid $3.60, $2.20 and $2.10 across the board. He topped a $13.80 exacta.

Touched By Madness, off at 9-2 in the field of six, rallied to be second by a length over Too Many Toyz, the 2-1 second choice. Piety, the other half of the Hardacre Farm entry, finished last.

Indy Wind won the Frisk Me Now Stakes here in May by closing fast in the stretch to run down Gotcha Gold. However, in the subsequent Grade 3 Salvator Mile, Indy Wind was never able to mount a rally and had to settle for third behind Gotcha Gold and Lawyer Ron.

"I knew he would be ready today, but it's still a horse race and you have to go out there and show it," Tarrant said. "He's been training so well lately that I knew he'd run a big one here.

"That last race (the Salvator Mile one June 23) was my fault. I told Mario (jockey Madrid) to take back because he can make a very nice late run. But that day, he just kept trying to duck the dirt getting kicked back at him. So today, I told Mario to break sharp and try to put him into it early on, and that's exactly what he did."

Tarrant said the next assignment for Indy Wind - who finished second in last year's running of the Skip Away Stakes - will be the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) here on Aug. 18.

Lantana Mob, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Stewart Elliott, captured the Tyro as the 6-5 favorite and is now a candidate for the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) to be run here on Sept. 2.

The winner, a son of Posse, broke loose from the pack around the turn and asserted himself in the stretch as he went on to a length and a half victory over Spanky Fishbein. Run Sully Run was third in the field of seven 2-year-olds, five lengths farther back.

Lantana Mob raced the five and a half furlongs in 1:03 4/5, and paid $4.40, $2.60 and $2.20 across the board. He topped an $11 exacta with Spanky Fishbein, the second choice at 2-1.

The colt, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in June, was coming off a fourth in the Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park.

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July 28, 2007
STABLEMATES DEAD-HEAT IN RACING RARITY AT MONMOUTH PARK
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. - A racing rarity at Monmouth Park occurred on Saturday afternoon as stablemates Second Collection and Findee's Keepee's hit the wire together, dead-heating in the second race, a $25,000 claiming event for New Jersey-breds.

Trained by Kelly John Breen and owned by Presidential Thoroughbreds, the entry returned $4.80, $4.40 and $2.80 across the board after both stepped the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 2/5.

Second Collection, an 8-year-old gelding by Evening Kris out of the Stiff Sentence mare Sweet Echo, closed down the outside as his stablemate by Intensity from the Better Aribitor mare Keepin' Thoughts dug in gamely to battle his rival all the way to the wire.  Joe Bravo, the leading rider at the meeting, rode Second Collection, with Jose Lezcano aboard Findee's Keepee's. 

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July 27, 2007
AMENABLE WINS FEATURE AT MONMOUTH; 5-FOR-5 FOR MARAGH
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Jockey Rajiv Maragh kept Jayeff B Stable's Amenable going from gate to wire to win Friday's $45,000 allowance feature at Monmouth Park for his fourth of five victories of the day.

Amenable, trained by Alan Goldberg, held off a late charge from Ballonenostrikes to score by a neck, stepping the mile and a sixteenth over a "good" turf course in 1:41 flat. The winner, who went off the second choice in the field of six, paid $9.20, $5.40 and $2.60 across the board and topped a $40.60 exacta with Ballonenostrikes, who started at 6-1. Dubai Gold, the 6-5 favorite, was third.

This was the second win in six starts for Amenable, a 6-year-old son of Swain who last won at Gulfstream Park in February. It was his second lifetime score at Monmouth, coming almost exactly a year after his previous win, on July 23, 2006.

Maragh, currently fifth in the Monmouth jockey standings, won the first three races of the day, scoring aboard Intelligent Thief ($5.40) in the first, Lethal Weapon ($7.20) in the second, and Mommie's Vow ($6.40) in the third.  He capped the day with a win in the finale atop Monsterinmyroom ($5).  Maragh won with all five of his mounts on the card.

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July 26, 2007
CABLE BOY CONECTIONS HAPPY WITH CRACK O'DAWN BREEZE
Monmouth Park.com

Cable Boy, unbeaten in three races at Monmouth and the local hope for the $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage on Aug. 5, breezed an easy mile over the fast main track early Thursday morning.

The Jump Start colt, owned by James Dinan and Phantom House Farm and trained by Pat McBurney, was timed in 1:44 flat for the easy move, accomplished when the track first opened at 5:30 a.m. with assistant trainer Gus Duarte aboard.

"It was perfect," McBurney said. "A nice, easy mile, and he did it just the way you want."

McBurney said Cable Boy, holder of the Monmouth track record for a mile and 70 yards, loped along the first half-mile, clocked in :57, and then picked up the tempo to get the last half-mile in :47 flat for the 1:44 clocking. McBurney caught him galloping out a mile and an eighth in 2:00 flat.

"Just what we wanted to see," the trainer said. "He went three-eighths really easy, just a two-minute lick, and picked it up nice after that to finish strong."

Cable Boy is scheduled to have one more breeze before the Haskell.

"He'll work five-eighths either Tuesday or Wednesday," McBurney said. "We'll let the weather decide the day. Jose (regular jockey Jose Velez Jr.) will be up."

The mile and an eighth Haskell is likely to have a field of six or seven for its 60th running on Sunday, Aug. 5. Topping the field will be Preakness winner and Belmont Stakes second Curlin, who will again take on Hard Spun, the colt that finished ahead of him in the Kentucky Derby. The others considered likely starters are Any Given Saturday and I'mawildandcrazyguy. On the possibles list are Stormello, Xchanger and Teuflesberg.

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July 26, 2007
JASON SERVIS NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Jason Servis, who saddled four winners last week, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Servis will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Servis had two winners last Thursday, one on Friday and one on Sunday to boost his total to 13 for the meeting, good for sixth place in the trainer standings. Through last Sunday, the leaders were Todd Pletcher and Rick Dutrow, tied with 21 wins.

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July 25, 2007
3-YEAR-OLDS GET READY FOR SHOWDOWN IN AUG. 5 HASKELL

Monmouth Park.com

The field for Monmouth's $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage (G1) is getting ready to do battle here on Aug. 5. Right now, the candidates for the mile and an eighth event are scattered across the nation, but they should be assembling here next week. The draw for Haskell post positions is set for Thursday, Aug. 2. A rundown of the candidates:

ANY GIVEN SATURDAY - The Dwyer winner continued to work toward his Haskell start with a five-furlong breeze in :59.90 at Belmont Park on Monday. The Distorted Humor colt, trained by Todd Pletcher, captured the Dwyer Stakes by four lengths in his most recent outing on July 4.

CABLE BOY - The unbeaten Monmouth-based colt, who zipped five furlongs in :57.20 last Friday, is scheduled to breeze one mile early Thursday morning. Trained by Pat McBurney and John Forbes, Cable Boy set a track record for a mile and 70 yards when he won his second start in 1:38.78.

CURLIN - The Preakness winner by Smart Strike will use the Haskell as a springboard to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge to be run at Monmouth on Oct. 27. He had another serious breeze for the Haskell on Tuesday at Saratoga, when he worked six furlongs in 1:14.27 over the fast Oklahoma Training Track. Trainer Steve Asmussen said he was pleased with the drill.

"We're very excited and ready for the second half of the season, which we hope culminates in the Breeders' Cup Classic," Asmussen said.

HARD SPUN - The Danzig colt, second in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Preakness, and fourth in the Belmont Stakes, continues to prepare for another confrontation with Curlin at Delaware Park. Trainer Larry Jones breezed Hard Spun six furlongs in 1:14.40 on July 16.

IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY - The Wild Event gelding, fourth in the Kentucky Derby, is prepping at Calder Race Course, where trainer Bill Kaplan maintains his stable. The gray runner was last seen winning a Calder allowance event on July 14.

STORMELLO - Owner-trained Bill Currin was considering shipping his Stormy Atlantic colt across the nation again. Stormello, based in California, has been flown East four times this year, and was third in Belmont's Woody Stephens Stakes last out on June 9. Last Thursday, Stormello breezed seven furlongs over the Del Mar turf course in 1:31.20 around the dogs.

TEUFLESBERG - The son of Johannesburg, who remains a Haskell possibility, has been prepping over the Polytrack surface at Keeneland for his next assignment. Teuflesberg rebounded from a 17th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby to win the Woody Stephens at Belmont, and last out on July 7, was second in the Carry Back Stakes at Calder. He most recently was on the Keeneland track last Sunday, when he breezed a half-mile in :49 flat.

XCHANGER - The colt by Exchange Rate, who broke his maiden and won the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth last year, is coming off a victory in the Barbaro Stakes at Delaware on July 15. Trainer Mark Shuman said he is strongly considering the Haskell as the next start for Xchanger.

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July 24, 2007
FEW RESERVED PICNIC TABLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR AUG 5. HASKELL
Monmouth Park.com

A limited number of reserved picnic tables are still available for Monmouth Park's signature event, the $1 million Haskell Invitational, presented by Vonage, on Sunday, Aug. 5.

With admission and programs for eight, the tables sell for $125 and are located near the 1/8th pole in the home stretch.  To order, please contact the Monmouth Park Group Sales Office at 732-571-5544.

As always, approximately 100 picnic tables are available on a first-come first-served basis on Haskell Day.  Gates open that day at 10:00 a.m., with first post set for noon.  Fourteen live races are scheduled, including seven stakes highlighted by the Haskell.

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July 24, 2007
$100 HANDICAPPING CONTEST SET FOR SATURDAY, JULY 28
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth Park will host its third handicapping contest of the summer this Saturday, July 28th.  The $100 dollar entry fee includes a $50 starting bankroll and $50 to the overall prize pool - to be divided among the top finishers.  Players keep all the money accumulated in their bankrolls.

In addition to the prize money, the winner will receive two Breeders' Cup tickets and a berth in the 2008 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Challenge, held in Las Vegas.   

To enter, stop by one of the sign-up tables located in the clubhouse, grandstand, and picnic area throughout the racetrack on Saturday.  For more information, contact Monmouth Park Racetrack at 732-571-5636.

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July 22, 2007
LA TRAVIATA DOMINATE IN POST DEB STAKES SCORE
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. - Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith's La Traviata broke sharply and proved much the best in capturing the $60,000 Post Deb Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday, before a crowd of 14,606.

Trained by Patrick Biancone, La Traviata was on the pace through swift fractions of :21 1/5 for the quarter and :44 for the half before coming home in 1:01 4/5 for the five and half furlongs over the fast main track, just seven 100ths off the track record set by Joey P. on May 12 of this year.

The 3-year-old filly by Johannesburg from the Unbridled mare Pedras Negras returned $3, $2.20 and $2.10 as the heavy favorite in the field of five.  Sea the Joy completed a $15.20 exacta and finished five lengths behind the winner and paid $3.40 and $2.10.  It was another length and a quarter back to Change Up who returned $2.10 to show.

"She went pretty easily," said winning rider Julien Leparoux.  "I know she's good, I don't know how good yet.  I guess everything went as expected.  She broke good and did it pretty easily."

Sunday's stakes win marked the second in as many tries for La Traviata who has now earned $60,428 for her connections.  On June 8 of this year she broke her maiden by 13 1/4 lengths at Churchill Downs.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, July 25 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcast action from across the country and around the globe.

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July 21, 2007
CHANGE UP MAKES 2007 DEBUT WITH A FAST BUNCH
Monmouth Park.com

Trainer Steve Margolis, who shipped in from Kentucky earlier this month with 18 horses, sends a bunch of them to the post this weekend, with two starters on Saturday and three on Sunday.

The most talented of this particular group is the 3-year-old filly Change Up, who won the Grade 3 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs last year, and makes her 2007 debut in the $60,000 Post Deb Stakes at five and a half furlongs Sunday.

The Post Deb drew just five entries, but has come up as a super-competitive event. In addition to Change Up, the field includes La Traviata, who broke her maiden by more than 13 lengths at first asking for trainer Patrick Biancone, and Des Moines, an invader from Iowa and the most experienced filly in the field with six wins in 14 starts.

There's also Sea the Joy, who won the Crank It Up Stakes last out on the grass, and Suzy Smart, a stakes winner last year who was second in the Just Smashing Stakes here in her 3-year-old debut on May 20.

Change Up, a daughter of Distorted Humor bred and owned by the Klein Family, will be making her first start of the season in the Post Deb. Margolis took over her training two months ago from Steve Flint, who saddled the filly to win three of six starts last year.

"She spent the winter on the farm in Kentucky," Margolis said. "The Kleins gave me several horses to train, and she was one of them. I picked her up two months ago, and she started training at Churchill Downs.

"She's been training really well here at Monmouth," Margolis said. "She had a great work from the gate (a half-mile in :46 4/5 on July 8), and then her last was maintenance breeze (five furlongs in 1:02 4/5 on July 15).

"This looked like a good spot for her coming off a layoff," the trainer said. "We wanted to start her off going short, and then see where we go from there."

The Post Deb field is replete with speed, which means Change Up will probably try to stalk the pace and make a late run.

"There's a lot of gas in this race," Margolis said, "a lot of gas. I saw Biancone's filly break her maiden. She just went to the front and improved her position. The Iowa filly looks like she has plenty of speed, too.

"I want Change Up to sit off them and come after them in the stretch."

Margolis is planning on making more noise in weeks to come. He's got a half-sister to Change Up, a Smart Strike filly named Pump Up, ready to make her debut in a maiden race, and a colt named Next Adventure who goes in the Gilded Time Stakes on July 28.

The trainer, who is making his first trip to Monmouth, served as an assistant to Stanley Hough and Howie Tesher in New York before going out on his own in 2000.

"So far, I'm really enjoying being at Monmouth,' Margolis said.

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July 21, 2007
DEIDRE PANAS MAKES A SPLASH IN COMEBACK RIDE
Monmouth Park.com

Deidre Panas, who hadn't ridden competitively in more than seven months, made the most of her first comeback ride at Monmouth Park Friday, guiding Watraladygenevieve to an upset victory in the second race.

Watraladygenevieve, trained by David Nunn, paid $34 to win, and topped a $771.80 exacta with Miss Moonmaid, ridden by Shannon Uske.

"It's great to be back home," Panas said. "I was getting sour on racing, and I was thinking about retiring. It turned out I just needed to come back to Monmouth to inspire me."

Panas, a 39-year-old native of Massachusetts, rode with success at Monmouth in the late 1990s after coming to New Jersey from New England.
 
In 2000, she decided to try something new and moved her tack to Texas. Panas became a sensation at Lone Star Park, where she was the first female rider to win a stakes race and the first to rank among the top 10 riders in 2001.

After leaving Texas last year, Panas rode briefly at Delaware Park last fall.

"I was riding Arabians," she said. "Maybe that's why I was getting sour. It wasn't until I came back to Monmouth early this month and got back on Thoroughbreds that I realized how much I missed it."

Panas is working as a free-lance exercise rider, and is looking forward to picking up more mounts.

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July 21, 2007
EXCHANGING FIRE NEVER HEADED IN SERENA'S SONG STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

SEND ME AN ANGEL LEADS THROUGHOUT INCREDIBLE REVENGE

OCEANPORT, N.J. - In identical front-running performances, Kenwood Racing's Exchanging Fire took the $60,000 Serena's Song Stakes, and Matthews Stable's Send Me An Angel won the $60,000 Incredible Revenge Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Exchanging Fire, trained by Stephen Mick and ridden by Eddie King, broke on top and set swift fractions throughout the mile and 70-yard Serena's Song. She hit the wire in 1:40 1/5 nearly three lengths in front of the fast-closing Ethan's Car and Lady Marlboro, the 8-5 favorite, who finished noses apart second and third.

The winner, sent off second choice in the field of eight 3-year-old fillies, paid $8.60, $5.80 and $3.80 across the board and topped a $125.60 exacta with Ethan's Car, a 17-1 chance.

This was the second straight stakes victory at Monmouth for Exchanging Fire, a filly by Exchange Rate who won the one-mile Without Feathers Stakes in her previous outing here. The Serena's Song - a prep for the $200,000 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks (G3) on Aug. 12 - marked her fourth victory in nine starts this year.

Exchanging Fire was claimed by her current owners for $50,000 at Gulfstream Park in April, and has now won three of four starts for trainer Mick.

The winner set fractions of :22, :45 1/5, 1:09 2/5 and 1:35 3/5 en route to her final clocking.

"You're always afraid of the bounce after your horse runs a big race like she did last time," Mick said, "but we had enough time in between races and she was actually training forwardly."

In the Incredible Revenge, Send Me An Angel took command leaving the gate and never looked back as she hung on gamely for a nose victory over Jazzy, the 2-1 favorite.

Send Me An Angel, trained by Tim Hills and ridden by Stewart Elliott, stepped the five and a half furlongs over the firm turf course in 1:02 4/5 and paid $16.20, $6.40 and $3.60 across the board. She topped a $71 exacta with Jazzy, who finished second by a length and a quarter over Top Ten List, the 5-2 second choice in the field of six fillies and mares.

It was the first stakes victory for Send Me An Angel, a 4-year-old daughter of Halo's Image who recently arrived from Calder. It was her first score in four tries this year, and also her first ever win on the grass.

"She doesn't train all that well on the dirt in the mornings, and the turf is probably a little bit kinder to her," Hills said. "I told Stewie (Elliott) that if she beats the gate, just go on with it, and that's exactly what happened."    

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July 20, 2007
CURLIN, HARD SPUN, CABLE BOY EXPECTED TO TOP THE FIELD FOR MONMOUTH'S $1 MILLION HASKELL INVITATIONAL ON AUG. 5
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - The 2007 running of Monmouth Park's $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage promises to be one of the best ever, with Preakness winner Curlin, Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun, and the undefeated Cable Boy heading the field.

The 40th running of the Haskell, centerpiece of Monmouth's summer meeting, highlights the card on Sunday, Aug. 5. And this year, in addition to its importance as a post-Triple Crown test for 3-year-olds, the Haskell takes on added importance as a preview of the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, powered by Dodge, to be run at Monmouth on Oct. 27.

Monmouth racing secretary Mike Dempsey said Friday that five of the 3-year-olds invited are firmly on the starting field list - Curlin, Hard Spun, Cable Boy, Any Given Saturday and I'mawildandcrazyguy.

Dempsey said he expects a couple of the several horses now on the "possibles" list to join the field, meaning a field of seven will likely line up for the mile and an eighth Haskell.

Those 3-year-olds considered possibles to go are Stormello, Albertus Maximus, Delightful Kiss, First Defence and Teuflesberg. Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, a Haskell invitee, worked Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs and is being pointed toward either the Haskell or the Jim Dandy at Saratoga.

"This should turn out to be a great race," Dempsey said, "one of the best Haskell fields we've ever had. You've got the Preakness winner, and the Derby second, and an unbeaten horse. Then there's Todd Pletcher's horse (Any Given Saturday) who's in great form, and I'mawildandcrazyguy who ran so well in the Derby (fourth).

"Add a couple of the other talented horses who haven't committed yet, and it's a great race."

Curlin, a Steve Asmussen-trained son of Smart Strike, did not make his racing debut until Feb. 3 of this year. But in just five months, he's made a huge impression on the racing world.

Curlin won his first three career races - including the Arkansas Derby by more than 10 lengths, and was one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby. He had some trouble early in the race, but was impressive when he finally shook loose in the stretch to be third behind Street Sense and Hard Spun.

In his next outing, Curlin came from far back in the Preakness to run down Street Sense by a head. In the Belmont Stakes, final jewel of the Triple Crown, the colt lost by just a head to the impressive filly Rags to Riches.

Curlin has been training at Saratoga since mid-July to get ready for his run in the Haskell.

Hard Spun, trained by Larry Jones, raced in all three Triple Crown events. The son of Danzig led most of the way in the Kentucky Derby before he was collared by Street Sense in the stretch. He finished third in the Preakness and then was fourth in the Belmont Stakes.

The colt trains at Delaware Park, where Jones has the bulk of his stable.

Cable Boy is the local sensation and a real late bloomer. The Jump Start colt, trained by Pat McBurney and John Forbes, did not make his career debut until May 13 at Monmouth, when he won going away. In his second start on May 26, Cable Boy set a track record for a mile and 70 yards with a clocking of 1:38.78, and in his most recent effort won the Coronado's Quest Stakes by nearly four lengths.

Any Given Saturday is trained by the nation's leading conditioner, Todd Pletcher, who won last year's Haskell Invitational with Bluegrass Cat. The Distorted Humor colt, who finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby, warmed up for the big event by winning the Dwyer Stakes at Belmont on July 4.

Bill Kaplan trains I'mawildandcrazyguy, who ran a solid fourth in the Kentucky Derby, but failed to fire in the Belmont Stakes. The son of Wild Event won an allowance race at his Calder home base last out on July 14.

Stormello and Albertus Maximus are both based in California. The former, trained by Bill Currin, has been shipping cross-country on a regular basis this year. He was far back in the Kentucky Derby, but raced well most recently when he was third in the Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont on June 9.

Albertus Maximus is trained by Gary Mandella, whose father, Richard Mandella, won the Haskell with Dixie Union in 2000. The Albert the Great colt was second most recently in the Swaps Breeders' Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Teuflesberg won the Woody Stephens after running 17th in the Derby, and last out was second in the Carry Back Stakes at Calder for trainer Jamie Sanders.

Former jockey Pete Anderson trains Delightful Kiss, who has won the Ohio Derby and Iowa Derby in his last two starts.

First Defence, trained by Bobby Frankel, won Monmouth's Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes, the local prep for the Haskell.

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July 20, 2007
CABLE BOY SHARP IN DRILL FOR HASKELL INVITATIONAL
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Cable Boy, unbeaten in three Monmouth starts and holder of a track record here, continued his preparations for a start in the $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage (G1) on Aug. 5 with a sharp breeze between races Friday.

The 3-year-old colt by Jump Start, owned by James Dinan and Phantom House Farm and trained by Pat McBurney and John Forbes, breezed five furlongs in :57 1/5 over the fast main track between the first and second races with regular rider Jose Velez Jr. aboard.

Cable Boy, who tripped the teletimer when he broke off from the five-furlong pole, was clocked in :22 2/5 for the first quarter and :45 3/5 for the half-mile, and went the last furlong in :11 3/5 to stop the timer in :57 1/5.

Forbes, who was hand-timing the drill, caught the colt galloping out six furlongs in 1:09 4/5 and easing down seven furlongs in 1:26.

"Terrific," Forbes said of the breeze. "He was just going easily the first part, and he finished up the way you want."

Velez, who has ridden Cable Boy to three victories, was smiling broadly after the work.

"I didn't let him run the first part," Velez said. "I asked him in the stretch, and I only let him run the last eighth. Then I couldn't pull him up."

Cable Boy, who did not start his career until he won a maiden race here on May 13, set a track record of 1:38.78 in his second start on May 26, and last time out won the June 24 Coronado's Quest Stakes in 1:39.42, the second-fastest time ever recorded here for a mile and 70 yards.

Forbes and McBurney plan to bring the colt up to the mile and an eighth Haskell on works, and today's exercise was an important step in that direction.

Simulating race conditions, Cable Boy was brought into the paddock to be saddled. He paraded around the walking ring several times and then went out to the track. Velez warmed him up a bit, and then started to pick up speed around the clubhouse turn heading for the five-furlong pole.

Cable Boy broke off at the five-eighths pole and glided along for a half-mile while under no pressure from the rider. At the eighth pole, Velez set the colt down and Cable Boy ran through the finish line.

With the Haskell just 15 days away, Cable Boy is scheduled to get in a strong gallop next week and one more breeze the week of the race, Forbes said.

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July 19, 2007
CABLE BOY TO WORK BETWEEN RACES FRIDAY OR SATURDAY
Monmouth Park.com

Pat McBurney and John Forbes, who train unbeaten Haskell Invitational hope Cable Boy, are keeping a close eye on the sky as they look for an opportunity to work the colt between races over the Monmouth track.

The co-trainers skipped last Saturday's Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes and plan on working Cable Boy up to the $1 million Haskell (G1) on Aug. 5.

"We had wanted to work him today," Forbes said Thursday morning. "But the track was really wet. We'll keep watching the weather and work him either Friday afternoon or Saturday afternoon between races.

"We'll try to make it as realistic as possible, and bring him to the paddock and then to the track," Forbes said.

Cable Boy, a 3-year-old son of Jump Start owned by James Dinan and Phantom House Farm, earned his invitation to the Haskell by winning the Coronado's Quest Stakes on June 24. In his previous start, Cable Boy set a track record of 1:38.78 for the mile and 70 yards. He has won his three career starts by a total of more than 11 lengths.

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July 19, 2007
PATRICIA FARRO NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Patricia Farro, who saddled three winners last week, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Farro will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Farro's three winners brought her total to 16 for the meeting, good for third place in the trainer standings behind Todd Pletcher and Rick Dutrow.

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July 19, 2007
PURE DISCO WINS GOLDFINCH HANDICAP AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Patricia A. Generazio's Pure Disco put on a display of pure speed to capture Thursday's $60,000 Goldfinch Handicap at Monmouth Park by five and a quarter lengths.

The 4-year-old filly, trained by Tony Wilson and ridden by Daniel Centeno, took the track at the start and blazed through fractions of :22 1/5, :44 4/5 and :56 1/5 en route to six furlongs in 1:08 2/5 over the muddy track.

Sent off the 8-5 favorite in the field of six New Jersey-bred fillies and mares, Pure Disco returned $5.20, $2.80 and $2.80 across the board. Jenny Bean Girl closed for second to complete the $28.80 exacta, with Solar Powered third, nearly four lengths farther back.

This was the second straight victory in the Goldfinch Handicap for Pure Disco, who took last year's running in the more modest clocking of 1:10 4/5.

It was her first win of the year in four starts. She was coming off second, beaten a nose, in the Klassy Bfriefcase Stakes on the grass.

Pure Disco, bred by her owner, has now won four of 13 starts at Monmouth, and the $36,000 winner's prize raised her career earnings to $254,260 on a record of 5-4-2 in 17 starts.

"After her turf performance, I knew she was ready to win anywhere," Wilson said. "For her to win the Goldfinch two years in a row is great."

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July 19, 2007
ATTENTION: DES MOINES IS NOT IN IOWA ANY MORE
Monmouth Park.com

There's a pickup truck standing outside Barn 25 on the Monmouth backstretch with a one-horse trailer and Iowa tags. It belongs to trainer Ray E. Tracy Jr., who sent his three children and one prize filly to New Jersey for a go at Sunday's $60,000 Post Deb Stakes.

The Tracy kids are brothers Tanner and Jake, and sister Geena, and the filly is named Des Moines. They all hail from Altoona, Iowa, home of Prairie Meadows racetrack, where the filly has run out of races to win.

"She doesn't have any conditions left," said Jake Tracy, "and there were no sprint stakes on the schedule at home, so Dad got a Monmouth condition book and picked out this race.

"He figured it was a good spot for her, and we could haul her out here ourselves cheaper than shipping her. And we get a vacation, too," he added with a smile.

Des Moines, bred by the Tracy family's Buckboard Stable in Iowa, is a well-traveled 3-year-old daughter of Evansville Slew - Sarouka, by Beau's Eagle, who has won five of six starts this year, including a stakes race at Assinboia Downs in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and two sprints at Delta Downs in Louisiana.

Her only loss this year came in the Bob Bryant Stakes at Prairie Meadows, where Des Moines hooked a tough local filly in Irish Party and had to settle for second. She followed that up with two wins, including the Canadian stakes by seven and a half lengths, and a Prairie Meadows allowance last out on June 26 that she won by nearly eight lengths.

"The riders in her last two said they never had to ask her for more," Jake Tracy said. "She did it on her own."

Des Moines is a Tracy family pet in many ways, not just as an earner of $139,268 so far, or as an excuse to take a vacation at the Jersey Shore.

"We watched her born," Jake Tracy said, "and my brother and I halter-broke her. She's part of the family."

Des Moines will face some fast fillies in the Post Deb. The field is expected to include Change Up, winner of the Grade 3 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs last year, and Suzy Smart, a Jim Ryerson trainee who won a stakes last year and was second in the Just Smashing Stakes here in her 3-year-old debut on May 20.

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July 18, 2007
WAR'S PROSPECT READY FOR NEW CHALLENGES AFTER COMEBACK TRY
Monmouth Park.com

War's Prospect had been out for more than 21 months recovering from a bowed tendon before he made his comeback in last Sunday's McSorley Stakes. The 6-year-old Monmouth stakes winner stayed on the rail the entire five and a half furlongs and finished an even third, almost seven lengths behind winner John's Pic.

But it was a start, and trainer Bill Anderson was happy with what he saw.

"He came out of the race in good shape," Anderson said. "I'm very happy about that because it took us so long to get him back to the races.

"And I think he was one work short of his best Sunday," the trainer said. "I think if he'd had another sharp work, he would have been second in there. But a race is better than a workout, and he'll be that much better next time."

Anderson said he'll point War's Prospect for overnight sprint stakes here. The next event on the Monmouth schedule for older horses is the $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes on Haskell Day, Aug. 5.

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July 18, 2007
PRECIOUS PRINCESS HAS WINNING FAMILY CONNECTIONS
Monmouth Park.com

Saturday's $60,000 Serena's Song Stakes for 3-year-old fillies serves as a prep for Monmouth's $200,000 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks (G3) on Aug. 12. The mile and 70-yard test is a good place to spot some local hopes for the prestigious Monmouth Oaks - the oldest Oaks still run in America, first contested in 1871.

Trainer Vicki Oliver has a candidate for the Serena's Song in Precious Princess, bred and owned by her parents, Sally and G. Watts Humphrey Jr. The bay daughter of Horse Chestnut is unbeaten in two starts at Monmouth this season, and is a clear case of a Shore-loving family.

Precious Princess is out of the Dixieland Band mare Dootsie - also bred by the Humphreys - who won the Little Silver Stakes at Monmouth in 1999.

Precious Princess never started at 2 last year, Oliver said, because she suffered a bruised cannon bone while training.

"I gave her two months off after the Monmouth meeting, and she went back into training last winter to get ready for the Keeneland meet," Oliver said. "She showed speed in her first start (a six and a half-furlong maiden test at Keeneland), and then tired. But I thought it was a good race, considering she's not really a sprinter."

Precious Princess came to Monmouth with the other horses trained by Vicki and her husband Phil Oliver, and broke her maiden at first asking over the local course. She battled for the lead throughout the mile and 70-yard test on June 2, and gamely came back in the shadow of the wire to nose out Blushing Skier.

Her most recent test came in an entry-level allowance race at a mile and a sixteenth on June 24 when she led throughout and drew off late to win by nearly six lengths.

"We'll put her in the stakes Saturday and see what happens," Oliver said. "We'll keep her going two turns because it looks like that's where she's most effective. And I think there's grass in her future, too."

Dootsie was most effective sprinting on both turf and dirt, but Horse Chestnut, a South African champion who was impressive winning his only start on the dirt (at Gulfstream Park) adds the element of distance and emphasizes the grass ability.

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July 17, 2007
VICTOR AVENUE ENTRANCE TO MONMOUTH PARK SET TO REOPEN
Monmouth Park.com

As renovations and improvements continue at Monmouth Park, the Victor Ave. project has been completed and will be ready for use on Wednesday, July 18.  The entrance from Victor Ave. directly into the racetrack from Route 36 reaches the valet parking or preferred Clubhouse parking lots.  Patrons will now be able to turn left onto Victor Ave. from Route 36 instead of being directed to turn onto Oceanport Avenue.  The Victor Ave. entrance has been under construction for the past four months.

"The completion of the Victor Avenue project is just another step as we move forward toward the Breeders' Cup in October," said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing. "More projects are nearing their completion and the Victor Avenue project is one more improvement that will benefit Monmouth Park for years to come."

Monmouth Park will play host to the Breeders' Cup for the first time on Oct. 26th and 27th.  A week of live racing is slated at Monmouth Park in late October running from Wednesday, Oct. 24, and culminating with the Breeders' Cup Classic, powered by Dodge, on Oct. 27th.  

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July 15, 2007
JOHN'S PIC MUCH THE BEST IN JOHN McSORLEY STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - John's Pic took command at the break and never looked back, posting a five length victory in the $60,000 John McSorley Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Trained by Frank Costa, John's Pic covered the five and a half furlongs on firm turf in 1:01 3/5 and returned $3.40 and $2.20 as the favorite.  Diamond Wildcat paid $2.20 to place and completed a $5.80 exacta.  It was another length and a quarter back to War's Prospect in third as Mt. Splendor rounded out the field of four older geldings.  There was no show wagering on the McSorley Stakes.

"He showed up today with one thing on his mind - to go," said winning rider Joe Bravo.  "Right from the break he was rolling.  You got to love Frank Costa - he's going so good right now and he had this one ready to run today."

Sunday's win marked the seventh in 20 tries for John's Pic, a 4-year-old by Awad from the Geiger Counter mare Lucky N Lovely.  The New Jersey-bred has now banked $281,395 for his owner John Petrini.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, July 18 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always the track is open seven days a week for simulcast action from across the country and around the globe.

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July 14, 2007
WAR'S PROSPECT RETURNS IN SUNDAY'S McSORLEY STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

The fact that War's Prospect is back in the entries for Sunday's $60,000 John McSorley Stakes is a triumph of patience and perseverance on the part of trainer Bill Anderson and the W.A.R. Stable partners.

The 6-year-old New Jersey-bred son of Lion Cavern has not raced in more than 21 months, not since he suffered a bowed tendon after finishing third in the Garden State Handicap at the Meadowlands on Oct. 7, 2005.

It's been a long road back, and just seeing War's Prospect on the track has put a smile on Anderson's face.

"He looked like his old self in that last breeze (five furlongs in :59 flat from the gate on July 7, best of 53 works at the distance that day)," Anderson said. "We just let him roll. If anything was wrong, I wanted to know it in the morning, not after a race. But he went great and came out of it great."

The trainer said that he looked high and low for a comeback race, and decided on the McSorley because of its distance (five and a half furlongs) and its surface (turf).

"I wanted to bring him back in a sprint, because he's a fast sprinter," Anderson said. "And I think the turf will be kinder to him for his first race back. He's had one turf start (a fifth in the one-mile Restoration Stakes here on June 19, 2004). He handled the grass fine, but the distance just got to him a little."

War's Prospect is one fast J-Bred. He has four wins in 15 starts at Monmouth, all in stakes. He took the Rumson in 2004 with l:08 3/5 for the six furlongs. In 2005, he won the Reilly in 1:09 4/5 and the Colts Neck in 1:08 1/5. He even stretched his speed out to a mile in the 2004 Pappa Riccio Stakes when he was allowed to set his own pace. His last effort at Monmouth was a humdinger on Sept 15, 2005, when he ran second to Joey P. in the Friendly Lover Handicap run in 1:08 2/5.

But the bowed tendon threatened to put an end to a promising career.

"We took him to Blue Crest Farm in Long Valley (N.J.)," Anderson said. "We let him down, and then in February of 2006, he was given a C-Cell injection to help heal the tendon.

"That seemed to work," Anderson said, "and four months later, he started jogging. The vet said the ultrasound looked great, but I wasn't convinced. I felt some heat in the tendon, and no matter what the tests said, I thought he needed more time. So we stopped on him completely last summer and he went back to the farm.

"He started jogging on the farm this April," the trainer said, "and he went well. The ultrasound tests said the tendon had healed completely, and I thought he was going perfectly. He came to Monmouth with me in May, and he's been breezing here ever since.

"Most of his works through May and June were easy breezes," Anderson said. "We know he's a fast horse, so he doesn't have to prove anything. But that last work, I wanted to let him roll. Turn him loose and let him show us he's back. And he did. It was a super work."

The McSorley will provide a stern test for War's Prospect. The field includes turf sprint specialists like Mr. Silver, and a blazingly fast John's Pic, who won in 1:08 2/5 on the dirt last out.

"I looked hard for a race," Anderson said. "This looks the same, maybe a little easier than a conditioned allowance race. But it's a good spot for his comeback."

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July 14, 2007
FIRST DEFENCE, 3-10, LEADS THROUGHOUT TO WIN LONG BRANCH, EARNS HASKELL INVITATION
Monmouth Park.com

BARON VON TAP SCORES IN HARDING

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Juddmonte Farms' First Defence punched his ticket for the Haskell Invitational Saturday as he led every step to win the $150,000 Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes by two and a quarter lengths at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

The 3-year-old son of Unbridled's Song, trained by Bobby Frankel and ridden by his regular pilot, Javier Castellano, was sent off the 3-10 favorite in the field of six, and looked every inch the part as he completed the mile and a sixteenth in 1:42 1/5.

First Defence paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10 across the board, and topped a $14.80 exacta with Get Serious, a 7-1 chance who rallied up to take the place, three and a half lengths ahead of Saratoga Lullaby, the 7-2 second choice.

The race held no drama as Castellano put First Defence in front from the gate and then gained confidence as they easily held the lead over Saratoga Lullaby through fractions of :23 3/5 for the quarter, :46 2/5 for the half and 1:10 for six furlongs.

Get Serious made a good move along the rail to take over second but never was a real threat to the winner.

The winner of the Long Branch is traditionally extended an invitation to run in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1), which will be renewed this year on Aug. 5.

"He was feeling real good today," Castellano said. "I thought the two horse (Get Serious) would be in front coming out of those sprint races. But as soon as they opened the gates, boom, I was in front. After that I was just letting him go along and make sure he was comfortable."

It was the third victory in five lifetime starts for First Defence, and the winner's share of $90,000 boosted his lifetime earnings to $158,195.

In the $60,000 Bob Harding Stakes on the turf, Snookum Stables' Baron Von Tap gained command on the backstretch and held off all challengers through the stretch for a one-length victory.

Baron Von Tap, trained by Howie Tesher and ridden by Rajiv Maragh, stepped the mile on firm turf in 1:33 flat and paid $28.20, $11.20 and $5.20 across the board. Presious Passion, an 8-1 chance, finished second to complete the $136.40 exacta. Drum Major, second choice in the field of eight, was third, a half-length farther back. Grand Couturier, the 2-1 favorite, never fired and finished sixth.

Baron Von Tap, a 6-year-old son of Pleasant Tap scored his second win of the year in eight starts in the Harding and the winner's share of $36,000 brought his lifetime earnings to $233,787.

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July 13, 2007
KEENELAND KID THE 'MONMOUTH KID' IN LONG BRANCH
Monmouth Park.com

If there's a horse-for-the-course in Saturday's $150,000 Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes, it's Keeneland Kid.
 
The 3-year-old Hennessy colt, owned by George and Lori Hall, has two wins and two seconds in a nine-race career, both victories and one of the placings coming in his five starts at Monmouth Park. So when trainer Kelly Breen entered Keeneland Kid in this mile and a sixteenth prep for the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 5, he was taking a realistic chance.

Keeneland Kid is coming off his worst-ever showing at Monmouth, a fifth (and last) behind the unbeaten Cable Boy in the Coronado's Quest Stakes here on June 24. Cable Boy is headed directly into the Grade 1 Haskell off that score, while the 3-year-olds competing in the Long Branch will have to earn their invitation with a strong showing on Saturday.

In the Coronado's Quest, Keeneland Kid, who broke from the rail, was sent after the speedy Cable Boy from the start. He hit a traffic jam on the first turn that severely compromised his chances, and just ran out of steam while running on the inside the entire way.

"Throw that race out," Breen said. "We took him completely out of his game that day. Since the track had a speed bias, we thought we'd go after Cable Boy from the start. That was a mistake.

"Keeneland Kid's style is to sit off the pace, and then make one big run in the stretch. That's his best race."
In a little twist, Keeneland Kid will have a new rider for the Long Branch in Jose Velez Jr. And Velez is the regular rider of Cable Boy.

"I want Jose to let him come out of there on his own and settle down, and then sit and wait for the chance to make his one run," Breen said.

Keeneland Kid broke his maiden at Monmouth last year, and won an allowance event this season after finishing second to Cable Boy in a non-winners of two event.

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July 12, 2007
TODD PLETCHER NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Todd Pletcher, who saddled three winners last week, including English Channel in the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes and India in the Miss Liberty Stakes, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Pletcher will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.
Pletcher, the leading trainer at Monmouth this year with 21 winners through last Sunday, won the United Nations for the second year with English Channel, who set a turf course record in the victory.

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July 10, 2007
FEW RESERVED SEATS REMAIN FOR AUG. 5 HASKELL AT MONMOUTH PARK
Monmouth Park.com

A limited number of reserved seats are still available for Monmouth Park's signature event, the Grade 1 $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday, Aug. 5.

"We've sold out all Clubhouse seats and Grandstand preferred," said Monmouth's admissions manager Jeff Lowich.  "There are seats still available in the Skyview Terrace and the 2nd floor of the Grandstand, but a select number of those remain."

Seats in the Skyview sell for $14 and $10, while the 2nd floor of the Grandstand cost $10.  Seats may be purchased by calling 732-571-5563 or by visiting the reserved seat booth on the second floor of the Grandstand any live racing day.

The mile and an eighth Haskell showcases the best 3-year-olds in the country and is the richest invitational Grade 1 in North America.

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July 10, 2007
BRAVO, PLETCHER TOP MONMOUTH STANDINGS
Monmouth Park.com

Through 35 days of racing, Joe Bravo finds himself in a familiar spot- atop the jockey standings at Monmouth Park.  Bravo has ridden 58 winners from 194 starts, putting him six victories ahead of Eddie Castro.  Jose Lezcano is third with 35 victories, seven more than C. C. Lopez. Chris DeCarlo rounds out the top five with 22 trips to the winners' circle.

Todd Pletcher, fresh off his victory in Saturday's United Nations Stakes, remains the leading conditioner with 21 victories from 54 starts.  Richard Dutrow Jr. is second with 17 victories, four wins ahead of Patricia Farro.  Bruce Levine is fourth with 12 wins, two more than the two-way tie for fifth between Bruce Alexander, and Peter Kazamias.

Peter Kazamias, owns the top spot in the owner standings with 9 victories from 23 starts.  Red Oak Stable is second with 6 wins, one clear of a four-way tie between Patricia Generazio, Eddie Broome, John Petrini and H. C. B. Lindh & J. H. Pierce, Jr.

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July 8, 2007
MY SISTER SUE TAKES BLUE SPARKLER STAKES IN 1:08 4/5
Monmouth Park.com

CHOICE STAKES TO FAST CLOSING FRENCH VINTAGE

Oceanport, N.J. - My Sister Sue took command in mid-stretch and held her rivals safe at bay to score a length victory in the $60,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Trained by Flint W. Stites, My Sister Sue covered the six furlongs over the fast track in 1:08 4/5 and returned $8.80, $5.40 and $3.  Livermore Valley, who's rider Jose Lezcano claimed foul against the winner for interference in the stretch, completed a $56.20 exacta and paid $6.80 and $3.80.  Solarna was another length and a quarter back in third, good for a $2.80 show mutuel.

"She just comes out and runs her race every time," said winning jockey Katie Lee.  "I got her to relax early on and she's a very strong finisher.  I knew she'd be very tough and she showed it."

Sunday's win marked the fifth win in 13 starts for the 4-year-old filly by Broken Vow out of the Waquoit mare Irondequoit.  She has now earned $154,960 for owner Aracrest Racing Stables LLC.

In the $60,000 Choice Stakes, French Vintage rallied strongest down the stretch to post a half-length victory after stepping the mile and an eighth on firm turf in 1:49.

Ridden by Rajiv Maragh, French Vintage returned $15.80, $6.80 and $4.40 and topped an $85.60 exacta.  Chaluiwitcane returned $5.20 and $3.60 after finishing another three-quarters of a length ahead of favorite You're the Mon, who paid $2.80 to show.

"I was watching Maragh and he was just sitting on him," said winning trainer Joe Pierce Jr.  "I told him to use his own judgment.  He's a very strong finisher and a smart rider.  We'll look to keep him in races like this."

It was the fourth win in 11 starts for the 3-year-old colt by Mecke out of the Grade 1 winning mare Grecian Flight.  He has now earned $102,230 for owners H.C.B. Lindh and Joe Pierce Jr., who earlier on Sunday's card captured the fourth race with Discreet Charmer ($4.60).

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, July 11 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always, the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcast action from across the country and around the globe.

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July 7, 2007
FRENCH VINTAGE CAN BE LAST HURRAH FOR GRECIAN FLIGHT
Monmouth Park.com

Back in the last 1980s, trainer Joe Pierce Jr. campaigned Grecian Flight, a filly with a modest pedigree and unlimited talent. She was retired after a career that included a Grade 1 victory in the Acorn Stakes, and earnings of more than $1.2 million.

Grecian Flight became a broodmare and produced 12 foals ... and not one of them has come even close to reproducing her racing form.

"She's had a lot of foals that weren't worth four dollars total," Pierce said. "It's funny how few good racemares ever produce a runner like themselves."

Her best foal so far is Grecian Lover, now trained by Allen Jerkens, a 5-year-old mare by Friendly Lover who has won four races and earned $242,000.

The subject of Grecian Flight - a name dear to Pierce's heart - comes up today because her last foal, French Vintage, by Mecke, goes in the $60,000 Choice Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile and an eighth on the grass. The bay colt was bred by Pierce in partnership with Hal C.B. Lindh, who owned Grecian Flight.

French Vintage, who won twice on the main track, was introduced to the turf in an allowance race here on June 8, and beat his elders in a swiftly run mile (1:34 2/5). He came back on June 29 in another allowance for 3-year-olds and up, and ran well again, closing on the rail to be third, beaten just a length and a half.

"He did well against older horses, two good races," Pierce said. "Now he's back with his own kind (3-year-olds), and I thought he deserved a chance to run in a stakes race. I know he's going to be respectable in there."

Pierce said that Grecian Flight is now retired as a broodmare and living the life of a pensioner at age 23 at Ocala Stud Farm.
   
"It would be nice for her if her last foal was her best," Pierce said.

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July 7, 2007
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES A SUCCESS
Monmouth Park.com

Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day visited Monmouth Park Sunday, July 1 to host an autograph session and be a special dinner guest in the track’s Turf Club as part of the “What a Difference a Day Makes” tour.  Day has toured the country speaking about the role the chaplaincy has played in his career and encouraging others to support the Racetrack Chaplaincy. 
 
The “What a Difference a Day Makes” tour is dedicated to raising funds for various racetrack chaplaincies across the country.  Over $4,000 was raised for the Monmouth Park Racetrack Chaplaincy through the autograph signing and private dinner.
 
The Monmouth Park chaplaincy provides spiritual oversight of the backstretch workers and spiritual guidance and counseling.  The Chaplaincy provides Chapel Service every Monday evening and positive social events for backstretch workers. 
 

Chaplain Roberto Rodriguez oversees Monmouth Park’s ministry and Chaplain Peter Guilfoyle provides guidance for Meadowlands’s ministry.

For more information on the Monmouth Park Chaplaincy, contact Roberto Rodriguez at 732-222-5100.

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July 7, 2007
ENGLISH CHANNEL, 3-5, WINS UNITED NATIONS IN RECORD TIME ON MONMOUTH TURF; HONEY RYDER 2ND, BETTER TALK NOW 3RD
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Jim Scatuorchio's English Channel broke his own course record at Monmouth Park Saturday as he powered his way to a one-length victory in the 54th running of the $750,000 United Nations Stakes Presented by TVG (G1).

Sent off the 3-5 favorite in the field of five, English Channel tracked the pace-setting Fri Guy for most of the mile and three-eighths on firm turf. When jockey John Velazquez gave the signal, the favorite cruised to the lead in the stretch, and had no trouble holding Honey Ryder safe. The 5-year-old son of Smart Strike stopped the timer in 2:12.89 to better his record of 2:13.24 in winning last year's United Nations.

Todd Pletcher, the nation's leading trainer, conditions both English Channel and Honey Ryder, a 6-year-old mare who went off third choice at 3-1.

Better Talk Now, the 2005 U.N. winner and second choice at 5-2 today, closed belatedly, but had to settle for third, two lengths behind Honey Ryder.

English Channel paid $3.20, $2.10 and $2.10 across the board and topped a $9.40 exacta with Honey Ryder, who paid $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Better Talk Now paid the minimum $2.10 to show.

English Channel, who won his fourth Grade 1 stakes today, was a bit uncomfortable right after the break, but settled down nicely for Velazquez and was content to sit off the pace set by Joe Bravo aboard Fri Guy.

English Channel maintained his forward position around the far turn and moved briskly to take the lead when the rider asked. Honey Ryder made a threatening move in midstretch, but never got closer than a length to her stablemate.

Pletcher, watching on television, said, "The way they showed the break it was head-on, and it looked like he veered out a bit after the break. But Johnny (Velazquez) knows this horse well and once he got him to relax, it was fine.

"I thought he got a little off track in Dubai," Pletcher said, referring to English Channel's poor run in the Dubai Duty Free in March. "Other than that, he's never really run a bad one. He ran a good race in the Manhattan, but it was good to get him back to three turns, and he's shown that he likes the Monmouth Park turf course.

"From here, we'll go to the Sword Dancer (Aug. 11 at Saratoga) and then either the Man o' War (Sept. 8) or the Turf Classic (Sept. 30) at Belmont, with the idea of bringing him back to Monmouth for the Breeders' Cup (Oct. 27)."

Velazquez said, "It wasn't so much that he was rank, he just threw his head up when he jumped from the gate.  He was a little uncomfortable after that, so I was trying to get him to see that other horse (Fri Guy) in front of him so that he'd settle down, and once he saw him he was fine. Once he relaxed, he was fine the whole way."

English Channel became the first back-to-back winner of the United Nations since Sandpit at Atlantic City Racecourse in 1995 and 1996.

In the undercard stakes, Herecomeshollywood won the Mr. Prospector, and Pommes Frites took the Lighthouse.

In the $65,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes, Herecomeshollywood proved gamest at the finish, nosing out Suave Jazz, the 4-5 favorite, on the money. It was a remarkable performance given the fact that the 4-year-old was coming back just three days after finishing second in an allowance race here Wednesday.

The winner, trained by Rick Dutrow and ridden by John Velazquez, was sent off the 3-1 second choice in the field of six, and returned $8.80, $3.20 and $2.80 across the board after running the six furlongs in 1:08 2/5 over the fast main track.

Suave Jazz, who stuck a head in front with 100 yards to go, had to settle for the place when Herecomeshollywood dug in, and completed the $20.60 exacta. War Tempo ran on late to be third.

"This horse ran just three days ago, and for him to come back and run a race like this was amazing," Velazquez said. "He was game all the way to the wire, and he ran fast, too. What a real nice performance."

On Wednesday, Herecomeshollywood finished less than a length behind John's Pic, who ran the six furlongs in 1:08 2/5. The Woodman colt, owned by IEAH Stables, Robbins LLC et al, has now won five of 11 lifetime starts. This was his second win in three tries at Monmouth. The $39,000 winner's share brought his career total to $178,620.

The trophy for the Mr. Prospector Stakes was presented by Hall of Famer Jimmy Croll, who trained Mr. Prospector.

In the $60,000 Lighthouse Stakes, the mares ran true to form as Pommes Frites, the 3-10 favorite, scored by a length and a quarter over Beat the Band, second choice at 7-1.

Pommes Frites, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Joe Bravo, atoned for her loss at 2-1 in the Grade 3 Eatontown last out with her never-in-doubt score today. The 5-year-old mare by Dynaformer stepped the one mile over a firm turf course in 1:33 4/5 and paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10 across the board.

Beat the Band, who set most of the pace and only grudgingly gave way when Pommes Frites challenged in the stretch, completed the $9.80 exacta. A Different Tune was third in the field of seven fillies and mares, two and a quarter lengths farther behind.

The race played out very simply, with Beat the Band taking command soon after the start and Pommes Frites stalking just a few lengths behind. In midstretch, the favorite asserted herself and went on by the pacesetter to score by daylight.

This was the ninth win in 19 lifetime starts for Pommes Frites, and the $36,000 winner's share brought her earnings to $532,966.

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July 7, 2007
LOCAL MARES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN BLUE SPARKLER STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Sunday's $60,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes for fillies and mares has come up a salty sprint and, with nine talented sprinters entered, it's a wide-open affair.

There are several invaders from Maryland and Delaware in the field, but two of the Monmouth-based hopes are expected to have a say in the outcome.

Conover Stable's Livermore Valley was one of the top 3-year-old fillies on the grounds last year, when she won two stakes here and one at the Meadowlands, and finished third in the Grade 1 Prioress Breeders' Cup Stakes at Belmont.

This season, however, she's been frustrating for trainer Jim Ryerson because she's without a win in four starts, three at Aqueduct and one here last out when she was fifth in the West Long Branch Stakes.

"She hasn't come back to the form she had last year," Ryerson said. "But we'll try to make amends Sunday.

"I really don't have any excuses for her," the trainer said, "but she's training fine, and we hope to get her back on the right road in this race."

Joe Orseno has his Argentine discovery Suzanne coming back after a sharp U.S. debut in the West Long Branch on June 10, when she was beaten two heads for all the money. It was her first career loss after four straight galloping victories in her native Argentina.

"She really wasn't ready for that race," Orseno said. "But what a tryer she is! She'll do better with that race behind her."

Orseno bought the 5-year-old mare on a pleasure trip to Argentina last year with Al Micallef, who owns the Reata's Thoroughbred Racing stable.

"We had no intention of buying a horse," Orseno said. "But we went to the races at San Isidro, and I met an agent I knew from California. He happened to be on the phone with Wesley Ward (a trainer), and handed me the phone. Wesley said that since I was in Argentina, I should go to the La Plata track and take a look at this filly.

"We drove to the track," Orseno said, "and we looked at her. Then I asked if we could see her train. The rider got on - without a saddle - and galloped her around. We had her vetted, and she was fine.

"We brought her to the States and gave her six months off in Ocala to acclimate to this country. She went back into training the end of March, and we brought her here the end of May."

Orseno said he likes her chances in Sunday's sprint.

"She's on the outside (Post 8), which should help," the trainer said. "And she's already shown how game she is. She should run better this time."

Win or lose, Suzanne is headed for Del Mar after this race. Orseno is sending a small string to the West Coast as an experiment.

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July 7, 2007
AGENT DOUG HATTEN TAKES JOZBIN SANTANA'S BOOK
Monmouth Park.com

Jockey agent Doug Hatten, who represented injured apprentice Kyle Branch at the beginning of the meet and more recently Carlos Cruz, has taken the book of Jozbin Santana.<?

Branch, who injured his left hand in a fall here in June, has undergone surgery and is recuperating at his home in Seattle, Washington. Hatten said the rider is undergoing physical therapy daily on his injured hand because of nerve damage. He said that if all goes well with the recuperation, Branch could return for the start of the Meadowlands meet in September.

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July 5, 2007
SCATUORCHIO A REAL FAN OF ENGLISH CHANNEL
Monmouth Park.com

When the 5-year-old English Channel takes the track in Saturday's $750,000 United Nations Stakes Presented by TVG (G1), Jim Scatuorchio will be his most ardent rooter. And not just because he owns the horse who goes for a repeat in the mile and three-eighths grass test, but because he's a fan.

"He's become one of my favorite horses," Scaturochio said. "He tries so hard every time, he gives it all he's got every race. You've got to be fond of an athlete like that."

Though More Than Ready was the first Grade 1 stakes winner owned by the Rumson, N.J., resident, English Channel has become the most accomplished. More Than Ready, who finished fourth in both the 2000 Kentucky Derby and Monmouth's Haskell Invitational, took his Grade 1 stakes in the King's Bishop at Saratoga. He was retired at the end of his 3-year-old season and is now a successful sire.

English Channel, a stakes winner on grass at 3, really blossomed last season when he won three Grade 1 events, including the United Nations and the Turf Classic at Belmont. He finished third in the Breeders' Cup Turf , and this year has raced in Florida, Dubai and New York coming into the U.N.

Scaturochio said he and trainer Todd Pletcher have talked about experimenting with English Channel on a surface other than turf.

"We've discussed running him in a stakes over Polytrack," Scatuorchio said. "With his pedigree (Smart Strike -Belva, by Theatrical) and running style, Todd had him pegged as a turf horse from the beginning, and he's never run on anything but grass. But it would be interesting to see how he'd do on a synthetic surface."

Scatuorchio had a major setback this year when Scat Daddy, his best 3-year-old, was retired to stud last month. The son of Johannesburg won the Florida Derby, and was one of the favorites in the Kentucky Derby, but finished 18th of 20 after a rough trip.

"He had a very rough trip in the Derby," Scatuorchio said, "and he got bumped around a lot. When he was training after the Derby, Todd said he just wasn't right. We could have given him four months off and brought him back as a 4-year-old, but my partners are breeders, and he had already accomplished enough to go to stud, so he was retired. He'll stand at Ashford Stud in Lexington.

"I was disappointed because I was really looking forward to running him in the Haskell.

"But now I'm looking forward to getting some horses ready for the Breeders' Cup in October. It's at my home track, and no airplane flights, no hotels. We get to stay at home and enjoy the Breeders' Cup this year."

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July 5, 2007
PAT McBURNEY NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Pat McBurney, who saddled three winners last week, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. McBurney will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

McBurney, who had three winners last week, had his best day on Thursday, when he sent out two winners. He now has seven winners this meeting.

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July 5, 2007
NEW SWEDISH WAGERS AVAILABLE AT MONMOUTH, MEADOWLANDS
Monmouth Park.com

Two new wagers from Sweden, the "V75" and the "V64," are now available to players at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands.

The two multiple-race wagers, conducted on trotting events in Sweden, are presented by AB Trav Och Galopp (ATG) of Sweden and provided to the New Jersey tracks by Scientific Games Corporation, which oversees the commingled wagering in North America.

The "V75" is a series of seven consecutive races run at a Swedish track on Saturdays. The "V75" accounts for 40 percent of total pari-mutuel wagering in Sweden, and pools average $11 million weekly, but can grow to over $20 million with carryovers. Advance wagering begins on Wednesday each week for the Saturday races. The "V75" minimum wager is 10 cents. There are consolation payouts for six or five winners.

The "V64" is similar to a Pick 6, and requires players to select the winners of six consecutive races run at a Swedish track. The wagering starts on Monday, and the races are run on Wednesday each week.

The average weekly pool for the "V64" is $2.5 million, and the record payoff is $566,451. The "V64" minimum wager is 20 cents. There are consolation payoffs for five or four winners.

Past performances and handicapping analysis for "V75" and "V64" races can be found in the "Official Simulcast Program" that is on sale at the track each day.

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July 1, 2007
SERENA'S CAT ALL BUSINESS IN KLASSY BRIEFCASE SCORE
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. - Dell Ridge Farm's Serena's Cat stalked Pure Disco early before nailing that foe on the wire, posting a nose victory in the $60,000 Klassy Briefcase Stakes on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Serena's Cat covered the 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:02 3/5 and returned $13.60, $7 and $11.  Pure Disco paid $8.20 and $11.80 and completed a $137 exacta.  Cherokee Jewel finished another length and a half back and returned $6.80 to show.  Haddie Be Good, sent off at 3-5 in the field of five fillies and mares, finished fourth, leading to the large show prices.

"I was told to use my own judgment throughout the race today," said winning jockey Eddie Castro.  "I just tried to stay close to the pace because I didn't want to be too far back.  I called on her in the lane and she kicked in for me."

The Klassy Briefcase win was the fourth in 10 starts for the 4-year-old by Storm Cat from the Mr. Prospector mare Serena's Tune.  She has now earned $114,489 for her connections.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, July 4 - first post 12:50.  A special Fourth of July 10-race program is on tap, including the Grade 3 $150,000 Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes.  As always, the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcast racing from across the country and around the globe.

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July 1, 2007
BRAVO THREE FROM 4,000TH LIFETIME SCORES
Monmouth Park.com

Joe Bravo added a pair of victories to his career on Saturday's card, moving just three away from his 4,000th lifetime score.

Bravo entered Saturday's card at Monmouth with 3,995 wins before booting home Brandon's Beach ($4.40) in the eighth race and getting placed first on Ruterienne ($3.60) in the Grade 3 Boiling Springs.

A 35-year-old native of Long Branch, N.J., Bravo has won a record 12 riding titles at Monmouth Park.

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June 30, 2007
RUTHERIENNE, 4-5 CHOICE, WINS MONMOUTH'S BOILING SPRINGS ON DISQUALIFICATION OF RED BIRKIN; ASTOR PARK SCORES
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - With the help of the stewards, trainer Christophe Clement kept his perfect record at Monmouth intact Saturday as Virginia Kraft Payson's Rutherienne was placed first after finishing second in the $150,000 Boiling Spring Stakes (G3) on the turf.

Clement has now won with all five horses he has sent to run at Monmouth, but Saturday's was a near thing. Red Birkin, an invader from Canada, finished first by a neck over Rutherienne after a mile and a sixteenth on firm turf in 1:40 3/5. However, the stewards ruled that Red Birkin, ridden by Jose Lezcano, had interfered with Sharp Susan, the third-place finisher, in the stretch run. They disqualified Red Birkin and placed her third behind Rutherienne and Sharp Susan. Eddie Castro, rider of Sharp Susan, had claimed foul against both horses who finished in front of him.

Rutherienne, ridden by Joe Bravo, paid $3.60, $2.20 and $2.10 across the board as the 4-5 favorite in the field of six 3-year-old fillies. Sharp Susan, the 5-2 second choice, returned $3 and $2.10 and completed the $9.20 exacta. Red Birkin, third choice at 7-2, paid $2.10 to show.

This was the fifth victory in six lifetime starts for Rutherienne, a daughter of Pulpit who won the Grade 3 Sands Point Stakes at Belmont last out.

Sharp Susan set most of the pace into the stretch, when Red Birkin moved through along the rail to take command. Rutherienne closed on the outside at the same time, and Sharp Susan was put in tight quarters when Red Birkin drifted out.

Bravo, who rode Rutherienne for the first time, said, "I don't know what Jose (Lezcano) was doing or looking at. I had a ton of horse and she was closing down the outside with a full head of steam. Nothing against Lezcano, he's a good rider, but I guess in the heat of competition he messed up today."

In the $60,000 Dearly Precious Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, Bryan and Holly Rice's Astor Park overtook 3-5 favorite Princess Janie with a furlong to go and went on to score a length and a quarter victory.

The winner, trained by Todd Beattie and ridden by Stewart Elliott, stepped the six furlongs over a fast track in a sprightly 1:08 4/5 and returned $8.80, $2.80 and $2.10 across the board as the 3-1 second choice in the field of five fillies.

Princess Janie held second by a length over Bianco to complete the $17.60 exacta. Lottacosta, who invaded from Canada for this race, stumbled badly at the break and was never a factor.

Astor Park, a chestnut daughter of Ecton Park is now unbeaten in three lifetime starts. She broke her maiden at Delaware Park on May 9, and came back on June 5 to take an allowance race at that track.

Princess Janie set a fast pace, clipping off fractions of :21 3/5 and :44 1/5, and came into the stretch with a clear lead. Astor Park moved up quickly on the outside, caught the favorite at the eighth pole, and then drew off in the final sixteenth.

"I told Stewie (jockey Elliott) to let her stalk the pace today," Beattie said, "and put pressure on the front-runner turning for home. He followed instructions perfectly. This filly has been improving all the way, and I really don't think we've seen the best of her yet."

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June 30, 2007
BACKSTRETCH APPRECIATION DAY PICNIC SET FOR JULY 9
Monmouth Park.com

The 16th annual Backstretch Appreciation Day Picnic, which is open to all backstretch workers and their families at Monmouth, will be held on Monday, July 9, rain or shine.

The picnic is an all-volunteer, non-profit event that celebrates the efforts of all the people who work with the Thoroughbred horses in Monmouth's stable area. Last year, the event drew more than 2,000 men, women and children.

Dan Perlsweig and Kevin Weldon, co-chairmen of the picnic, said they expect at least 2,000 to attend the 16th picnic. They expect to serve 1,600 pieces of chicken, 1,000 hot dogs and 1,000 ears of corn, with 60 watermelons, plus candy and snacks for dessert.

The picnic starts at noon, with raffles and contests continuing through the afternoon. Admission is free to all backstretch employees and their families.

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June 29, 2007
MacBETH MEMORIAL FUND ACTIVITIES SET TO START JULY 4
Monmouth Park.com

The annual fundraising activities for the Don MacBeth Memorial Fund will start on Wednesday, July 4, at Monmouth, and continue on the next weekend, July 7 and 8.

Proceeds from the fundraising aid injured jockeys. The Fund is named for the late Don MacBeth, who led Monmouth's jockeys three straight years (1978-80) before succumbing to cancer.    

Fundraising activities include raffles for racing items, jockey autograph signings, and sales of racing memorabilia. Raffle prizes include tickets to the Breeders' Cup at Monmouth; a daily double in the announcer's booth with Larry Collmus, and Triple Crown bobbleheads of Affirmed, Secretariat and Seattle Slew.

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June 29, 2007
JOE BRAVO WITHIN 7 OF 4,000 CAREER VICTORY MARK
Monmouth Park.com

Jockey Joe Bravo, who is after his 13th riding title at Monmouth Park, won one race on Thursday's card to move within seven victories of career win No. 4,000.

Bravo began Thursday's racing with 3,992 wins, and added to his total aboard Four Shore ($5.60) in the ninth race.

Bravo leads the Monmouth jockey race this season with a total of 44 winners.

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June 29, 2007

BRAVO NEARS 4,000

Daily Racing Form, By MIKE FARRELL

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Reaching 4,000 wins seemed an impossible dream for Joe Bravo when he suffered a broken back in a spill on opening day of the 2006 meet at Gulfstream Park.

"I definitely thought that was it," Bravo said. "I thought there was no shot I could come back. Doctors were talking about surgery, putting rods in my back."

Bravo was able to recover with only physical therapy and amazingly rebounded to win a record 12th title at Monmouth Park last summer.

One year later, Bravo again sits atop the Monmouth standings, and the 4,000th career victory is within reach. He had 3,993 heading into Friday's card.

"It's quite an accomplishment," Bravo said. "Not many riders get to reach that milestone. With injuries in the last couple of years, it's just nice to be back to work."

In addition to the back injury, Bravo overcame a spate of mishaps in recent seasons.

He missed half of the 2001 Monmouth season with a broken leg and most of 2002 with a broken wrist. In 2003, he chipped a vertebra on opening night of the Meadowlands meet. Bravo won the 2005 Monmouth title despite missing seven weeks with a broken collarbone.

The 4,000-win milestone is a reminder that you aren't a kid anymore. Bravo, 35, won his first race in 1988.

"When you start out riding, you just go race by race," Bravo said. "It's exciting to just be out there doing this. It's a lot of years and it doesn't seem that long. If time flies when you're having fun, I guess I had a lot of fun the last 19 years. I can't believe it's been that long."

Bravo, the most successful rider in Monmouth history, has taken stabs at riding elsewhere. Every summer, the lure of the Jersey Shore proved irresistible.

"If I was the richest man in the world, there are only two places in the country I'd want to live during the summer," Bravo said.

"One is the Hamptons, the other is the Jersey Shore. Since the Hamptons don't have a racetrack, I'm blessed to work in a place this nice."

Monmouth will host the Breeders' Cup for the first time this October and Bravo would love to participate at his home track.

"I just hope that I can," Bravo said. "I'm riding for some really top trainers like Christophe Clement, Bill Mott, and Patrick Biancone. They have that type of horse. I hope as we get closer, they give me a call."

Cherokee Jewel makes '07 debut

Cherokee Jewel is also a Breeders' Cup hopeful.

Trainer Tim Hills is pointing the 4-year-old for the new $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint.

"Otherwise, we won't be able to get any good seats," Hills said jokingly. "We want the front row."

Cherokee Jewel faces an important test Sunday: the $60,000 Klassy Briefcase Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. She makes her season debut in her second grass start.

"We have to get a race into her," Hills said. "She ran really well in her turf race on a tight course."

Cherokee Jewel missed by a head in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in her second career start on April 7, 2006.

In her final preparation for the Klassy Briefcase, Cherokee Jewel worked four furlongs in 51.60 seconds over Monmouth's turf course on June 24.

"She handled it just fine," Hills said.

Cherokee Jewel ran well here last summer, winning first- and second-level allowance races as springboards to a victory in the Capote Belle Stakes at Saratoga.

Hills planned to have her back in action sooner, but couldn't find a spot at Gulfstream over the winter. The comeback was further delayed when Cherokee Jewel suffered an ankle injury.

Completing the field are Haddie Be Good, Pure Disco, Serena's Cat, Spanish Lullaby, and Brassy Boots. Livermore Valley is entered for the main track only.

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June 28, 2007
ENGLISH CHANNEL, BETTER TALK NOW LOOK FOR U.N. REPEATS
Monmouth Park.com

English Channel, the 2006 winner, and Better Talk Now, who won the 2005 edition of the United Nations Stakes, will meet again in the 54th running of the $750,000, Grade 1 event that highlights the card on Saturday, July 7.

A total of 19 horses were nominated for the ninth running of the mile and three-eighths grass test at Monmouth. The race was inaugurated at Atlantic City Race Course in 1953, and moved to Monmouth in 1999.

English Channel, owned by Jim Scatuorchio of Rumson, N.J. and trained by Todd Pletcher, scored a half-length victory over Cacique in last year's U.N. The 5-year-old son of Smart Strike was beaten just a head by Better Talk Now in the Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap at Belmont on June 9. English Channel has won 10 of 19 career starts and has earnings of $2,789,028.

Better Talk Now, an 8-year-old son of Talkin Man owned by Bushwood Stables and trained by Graham Motion, will be participating in his third straight United Nations. The gelding, who would go over the $4 million mark in career earnings with the winner's share of the U.N. purse ($450,000) won the 2005 running over a soft course, but finished fifth last year in one of his rare poor efforts.

The Kentucky-bred has a 14-6-2 mark in 39 lifetime starts, and earnings of $3,819,788.

The prospective field for the United Nations presented by TVG also includes Honey Ryder from Todd Pletcher's stable, and Drilling for Oil, trained by Ken McPeek.

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June 28, 2007
JOE BRAVO WITHIN 8 OF 4,000 CAREER VICTORY MARK
Monmouth Park.com

Jockey Joe Bravo, who is after his 13th riding title at Monmouth Park, won two races on Wednesday's card to move within eight victories of career win No. 4,000.

Bravo began Wednesday's racing with 3,990 wins, and added to his total aboard McCalmont ($2.20) in the third race, and Judith Basin ($9.40) in the eighth.

Bravo leads the Monmouth jockey race this season with a total of 43 winners.

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June 27, 2007
MONMOUTH CELEBRATES HOLIDAY WITH 11 STAKES ON SCHEDULE
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth plans plenty of racing fireworks for the Fourth of July holiday week, with 11 stakes - including the $750,000 United Nations and two other graded events - on the schedule for the racing week that starts Saturday.

The Grade 1United Nations, which will draw the best grass runners in the country, tops the card on Saturday, July 7. The first graded event scheduled is this Saturday's $150,000 Boiling Springs (G3), also on the turf. On Wednesday, July 4, top 3-year-old sprinters clash in the Grade 3 Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes.

The schedule of overnight stakes starts this Saturday with the $60,000 Dearly Precious. On Sunday, the $65,000 Miss Liberty and the $60,000 Klassy Briefcase top the card. The Wednesday card also includes the $60,000 Colts Neck Handicap.

On Saturday, July 7, the $65,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes anchors the undercard, and the holiday week celebration concludes on Sunday, July 8, with the $60,000 Choice Stakes and the $60,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes.

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June 27, 2007
UNBEATEN CABLE BOY ON TARGET FOR LONG BRANCH ON JULY 14
Monmouth Park.com

The late-developing 3-year-old Cable Boy turned in another impressive performance at Monmouth Park Sunday, winning the Coronado's Quest Stakes by nearly four lengths, and put himself squarely on the trail to the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) on Aug. 5.

Trainer Pat McBurney said that the next stop on the Cable Boy Express will be the $150,000 Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes here on Saturday, July 14.

"He ran really well, and he came out of the race in good shape," McBurney said.

The Coronado's Quest was Cable Boy's second straight win at a mile and 70 yards. He'll go a mile and a sixteenth for the first time in the Long Branch, and McBurney foresees a training regimen similar to the one that brought the colt to Sunday's race.

"John (co-trainer John Forbes) and I will discuss it, but I think we'll breeze him an easy half-mile, and then a slow seven-eighths," McBurney said. "Close to the race, he'll have a faster breeze as a blowout."

Cable Boy, a son of Jump Start, is owned by James Dinan and Phantom House Farm. He did not start his racing career until May 13 here when he broke his maiden at first asking.. He then won an allowance race in track record time of 1:38.78 for a mile and 70 yards on May 26. In the Coronado's Quest, he was never really pushed and completed the distance in 1:39.42.

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June 24, 2007
CORONADO'S QUEST TO THE UNBEATEN CABLE BOY
Monmouth Park.com
 

NEXT STOP LONG BRANCH WITH HASKELL THE MAIN TARGET

Oceanport, N.J. - J.M. Dinan and Phantom House Farm's Cable Boy made every pole a winning one and kept his record intact by taking the $60,000 Coronado's Quest Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday by 3 3/4 lengths.

After setting swift early fractions of :22 3/5 for the quarter and :45 2/5 for the half, Cable Boy posted a 1:09 2/5 three-quarter time before coming home in 1:39 2/5 for the mile and 70 yards.  The track record of 1:38 3/5 for the distance was set in Cable Boy's last start on May 26.

"The fractions were a little faster than I would have liked," said winning trainer Patrick McBurney.  "But when he asked him down the lane he took off.  When you see 22 and change going a distance you always get a little nervous, but after the half mile pole I didn't even look at the fractions, I was just watching the horse through the binoculars and he was going very well."

Saratoga Lulaby completed the $10.40 exacta and paid $3 and $2.20.  It was another nine lengths back to Pink Viper, who returned $2.40 to show in the field of five 3-year-old colts and geldings.

"The instructions were to get to the front," said winning rider Jose Velez Jr.  "Once we got to the lead, there was no looking back.  Everything worked out great today."

Cable Boy bested his record to three-for-three in the Coronado's Quest and boosted his earnings to $79,800.

"From here well go the Long Branch (July 14) and since this is our hometown track we would love to go to the Haskell (Aug. 5)," McBurney said.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, June 27 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always, the track is open seven days a week for simulcast racing from across the country and around the globe.

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June 23, 2007
SAGA OF CABLE BOY CONTINUES IN CORONADO'S QUEST STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Sunday's $60,000 Coronado's Quest Stakes is the first stepping-stone to Monmouth's $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) on Aug. 5, which gives it greater significance than most overnight stakes on the schedule.

The mile and 70-yard event is prelude to the Grade 3 Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes on July 14, a race that annually provides locally based 3-year-olds to challenge the Haskell invaders with Triple Crown credentials.

J.M. Dinan & Phantom House Farm's Cable Boy fits the picture perfectly. Monmouth-based, and unbeaten in two eye-catching races here, the son of Jump Start gets another key test on his way to Monmouth's main event.

In the program, Cable Boy is listed as trained by Pat McBurney, long-time assistant to John Forbes. In reality, under the new stable arrangement, McBurney and Forbes are on the Barn 18 sign as co-trainers, with Gus Duarte the assistant. McBurney has trained on an equal basis with Forbes for several years, and the new sign just recognizes reality.

In any case, Cable Boy has prospered in the barn, and is bidding to become Forbes' fifth starter in the Haskell Invitational.

The dark bay Kentucky-bred colt made his career debut here on May 13, drawing off easily under Jose Velez Jr. Cable Boy ran six furlongs in 1:10 flat that day, and achieved a Beyer Speed Figure of 85.

But it was his second start, and first around two turns, here on May 26 that stamped him as something special. In the mile and 70-yard allowance test, Cable Boy took the track from the start, dueled with Keeneland Kid for a half-mile and then drew away in the final furlong, winning by more than four lengths. What drew the most attention was the fact he stopped the timer in 1:38.78, breaking the track record of 1:38.85. His Beyer Figure for the race was 91.

"He was a little too sharp for that race," Forbes said. "We didn't have enough time to work on him between the sprint and the two-turn race because he ran right back (13 days) off his maiden win. Jose (Velez) said he was rank and just wanted to go."

Forbes said that won't be a problem in Sunday's stakes race.

"We've had time to give him some good, slow works," Forbes said. "He's gone a good half-mile, a slow mile and a slow five-eighths. Gus (Duarte) has helped him settle down."

For the record, Cable Boy comes into this test off a half-mile in :50 4/5 on June 8, a mile in 1:42 flat on June 14, and five furlongs in 1:02 flat on June 19.

"This is an important step up for him," Forbes said. "We'll see where we stand after the stakes."

The saga of Cable Boy began in September of 2005, when Forbes and McBurney went to the Keeneland yearling sale.

"We saw a lot of yearlings by Jump Start, and we liked what we saw," Forbes said. "We had a good opinion of them going into the sale, and we decided to find one to buy."

Cable Boy went for a modest $23,000, and Forbes sent him to be broken at Terry Gabriel's farm in Folsom, Louisiana.

"Terry liked him as a yearling and as a 2-year-old," Forbes said. "He was high on the horse when he sent him back to us."

Forbes brought Cable Boy to Monmouth last June, and began to get him ready for a 2-year-old race.

"We took our time with him," Forbes said, "because he was a late foal (born May 20). We were getting him ready to run at the Meadowlands in October, but then the quarantine hit."

An equine herpes outbreak last fall forced Monmouth officials to take drastic measures, and one of those was to completely quarantine Barn 18 for nearly three months.

"Our barn was locked down from October 22 to January 3," Forbes said. "Nothing moved in or out. When they lifted the quarantine, we sent Cable Boy to Philadelphia Park for the winter to train, and he came here with our other horses in April.

"That delay in getting him going might have been a good thing, or it might not," Forbes said. "If he had gotten to run sooner, he'd be farther along than he is right now."

Forbes said Cable Boy always acted like a good horse.

"We thought he could be a nice horse because he always trained really well," the trainer said. "But you're always a little skeptical before they run, because they might just train well and not run that way. But he's come along great, and so far he's running the way we thought he could."

Cable Boy's sire Jump Start is off to a fast start at stud. The 8-year-old son of A.P. Indy - Steady Cat, by Storm Cat, who stands at Overbrook Farm in Lexington, Ky., for a $20,000 fee, had 21 winners from 46 runners in his first crop to the races, which includes Cable Boy. His get, now 3-year-olds, include stakes winners Jump On In, Bold Start, Young Thomas and Copper State.

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June 22, 2007
SALVATOR'S MILE OF 1890 - HISTORY AS IT HAPPENED
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth celebrates the 60th running of the Salvator Mile on Saturday. The stakes race was inaugurated in 1948 to honor the exploits of a horse who thrilled the crowds at the second incarnation of Monmouth Park. The new track, built in 1890 with a mile and three-quarters oval and a grandstand that measured 700 feet in length, replaced the original 1870 racetrack. The race that put the new Monmouth on the map was run on Aug. 28, 1890, when Salvator attempted to set a world record for one mile. The race went down in the history books as "Salvator's Mile," and this is an account, written for Monmouth's opening day program, Wednesday, June 19, 1946, of that day in history:

A mighty concourse of racing fans swarmed down on Monmouth Park that 28th day of August, 1890. It was an impressive crowd, representing all stratas of society, and brilliantly sprinkled with visiting celebrities of the political, business and theatrical world.

Prancing horses drawing coach-and-fours, phaetons and surreys added to the overall picturesque scene, a flashback to the days that now live only in faded lithographs upon the wall and in the yellowed pages of racing's yesteryear.

The day's main attraction was the great Salvator's effort to beat the existing mile record of 1:39 1/2, an attempt unprecedented in turf annals. Held at (odds of) one-to-three in the books, with Time at two-to-one, the chestnut son of Prince Charlie faced the sternest test of a career which had found him supreme to every Thoroughbred of his time.

It was mid-way through the afternoon when Salvator at last made his appearance, drifting along the paddock lane, jockey Marty Bergen up in a brand new set of stable colors, and accompanied by two stablemates, the 3-year-old Rosette and Mamounta, a 2-year-old. The crowd surged against the rail to mark his passing along the mightiest turf oval in the land, a mile and three-quarters in circumference with a straightaway of a mile and three-eighths. It was along this broad path to fame and glory that Salvator was to make his bid.

The start was achieved with scant delay. Bergen galloped Salvator back a furlong behind the line and then as he turned and neared the starter's stand, goaded the shining chestnut colt into top speed, taking out after Mamounta, who had stolen an early march and was nearly 10 lengths in front.

No mortal arm could have restrained Salvator that afternoon. Out in the middle of the track - out where the going was the best - Salvator began to eat up the distance, the ground ripping away from under him like a strand of thread from the entrails of a spider. The quarter was reached in :23 3/4, and the half in :47 1/2, passing Mamounta as if she was running in sand and leaving her 20 lengths to the rear.

At that point, Rosette, who had been biding her time, flashed into action to carry Salvator to the three-quarter mark in 1:11 1/2. Only then did Bergen reach for his whip. Once, twice, he "gunned" the long-striding champion; white foam flew and the great shoulders shone like satin from the sweat.

Salvator did not need that last reminder. Into the whites of his eyes crept the scarlet of courage as he breathed into the final furlong all the excess of his speed, hurling himself past the finish line in a towering roar of tribute that was intensified as the figures flashed at the timer's stand: 1:35 1/2 -- a new world's record!

Salvator's record stood until Aug. 21, 1918, 28 years later, when jockey Andy Schuttinger rode Roamer at Saratoga to a new world mark of 1:34 4/5. Monmouth's track record for one mile stands at 1:33 4/5, and the record for the Salvator Mile Stakes is 1:34 2/5.

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June 21, 2007
ALAN SEEWALD NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Alan Seewald, who saddled three winners last week, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Seewlad will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Seewald added three winners last week to bring his total for the meeting to four through racing of Sunday, June 17.

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June 17, 2007
23,975 SEE FISHY ADVICE WIN BATTLEFIELD ON FATHER'S DAY
Monmouth Park.com

RED GIANT WINS RESTORATION, FAGEDABOUDIT SAL TAKES DOWD

Oceanport, N.J. - Before a Father's Day crowd of 23,975 at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Fishy Advice captured the featured $70,000 Battlefield Stakes, covering the mile and an eighth on firm turf in course record time of 1:46 flat.  The 2007 attendance bested the Father's Day crowd of 23,109 that were on hand in 2006.

"It was a great day, weather-wise and for racing," said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.  "Today's crowd is a testament not only to the quality of racing at Monmouth Park, but more importantly the track's importance in the Garden State as an entertainment destination."

Earlier stakes races on the card saw Red Giant take the $60,000 Restoration Stakes and Fagedaboudit Sal win the $60,000 Bernie Dowd Handicap.

In the Battlefield, Shake the Bank opened up more than a double digit lead early, but could not hold off the hard-charging Fishy Advice, who posted a half-length victory over that rival at the wire.  Ridden by Eddie Castro, Fishy Advice paid $6.20, $3.80 and $2.80 as the favorite in the field of eight older horses and topped a $28.80 exacta.  Shake the Bank returned $5.20 and $3.40 and was three-quarters of a length in front of Ballonenostrikes ($2.60) and Silent Roar ($2.40), who dead-heated for the show.

"The game plan was to just let him settle early," said winning trainer David Donk.  "This was his first start of the year, so we wanted him to relax early.  He's always been good to me this horse."

Sunday's win marked the seventh in 16 starts for Fishy Advice, a 5-year-old horse by Woodman from the Skywalker mare Lady Skywalker.  He has now earned $423,110 for his owners, Marquis, Behrendt, Bloom and Cornell.

Red Giant closed with a flourish on the outside to post a nose victory in the Restoration Stakes, covering the flat mile on "good" turf in 1:34 4/5.  Trained by Todd Pletcher, Red Giant returned $3.20, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 3-5 favorite in the field of six 3-year-old colts and geldings.

"He took the worst of it the whole way," said winning rider Chris DeCarlo.  "He may have run a mile and a sixteenth this afternoon.  He was determined the whole way, though.  He closed with a full head of steam.  At the 1/8th pole I wasn't sure if I'd get there, but by the 1/16th pole I knew I had it."

Chaluiwitcane paid $4 and $2.60 and completed a $13.20 exacta in finishing second, a length ahead of Encaustic, who returned $3 to show.

Sunday's win was the third in seven starts for the colt by Giant's Causeway from the Kingmambo mare Beyond the Sun.  He has now banked $112,410 for his owner, Peachtree Stable.

Fagedaboudit Sal overcame some early traffic trouble before shooting through on the fence and opening up to a 4 3/4 length win in the $60,000 Bernie Dowd Handicap.  Ridden by Chuck C. Lopez, Fagedaboudit Sal covered the mile and 70 yards over the main track labeled "good" in 1:42 1/5 and returned $22.20, $6.80 and $4.40 in the field of eight older horses.

Meadow Blue, the 6-5 favorite, paid $3.20 and $2.40 in finishing second and topped a $62 exacta.  Calabria Bella was a nose farther back in third and paid $4.40 to show.

"I was a little worried at the break and then up the backstretch when it looked like he was up on top of horses," said winning trainer Luis Carvajal Jr.  "At the 3/8ths pole he started moving and I was a little more confident.  Chuckie got him through on the fence and he took off from there."

A 4-year-old colt by Yarrow Brae from the Wolf Power mare Stardust Love, Fagedaboudit Sal recorded his fifth win in 21 starts and boosted his bankroll to $231,402 for owner, Salvatore Racing Stable.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, June 20 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcast racing from across the country and around the globe.

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June 16, 2007
KAREN'S CAPER SETS TURF MARK IN EATONTOWN AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

REDASPEN 2ND, ROSHANI 3RD; CRANK IT UP STAKES TO SEA THE JOY

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Stonerside Stable's Karen's Caper roared to the lead in midstretch and raced to the wire in track record time as she captured the $150,000 Eatontown Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

In the day's co-feature, Sea the Joy was a front-running winner of the $60,000 Crank It Up Stakes.

Karen's Caper, trained by Bobby Frankel and ridden by Brice Blanc, looked every inch the 11-10 favorite as she scored by a half-length over Redaspen, getting the mile and a sixteenth in a course-record time of 1:39.48 for the mile and a sixteenth over firm turf. She broke the mark of 1:39.91 set last year by In Return.

The winner, a 5-year-old daughter of War Chant, paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.80 across the board in her first start of the year. Redaspen, who went off at 18-1, paid $8.20 and $5.60 to place and show, and completed the $43.60 exacta. Roshani, who finished a head farther back in third, paid $4.40 to show.

Blanc bided his time near the back of the field through quick early fractions, and asked Karen's Caper to go with a furlong left. The mare exploded to the lead, and never looked like being caught, although Redaspen and Roshani both ran well to the wire.

This was the second Grade 3 victory for Karen's Caper, who won the Noble Damsel Breeders' Cup Stakes at Belmont last year. The Eatontown, Monmouth's first graded race of the 2007 season, was her first start since last October.

Karen's Caper earned a winner's prize of $90,000, bringing her career bankroll to $622,113 on a record of 4-5-0 in 14 lifetime starts.

"This is the first time I ever rode the mare," Blanc said. "I was happy with the trip we got. I knew she had a good late kick, and when I asked her to pick it up, she showed it. I really like this mare."

In the Crank It Up at "about" five and a half furlongs on the turf, Sea the Joy took command leaving the chute and never looked back, rolling to a one-length victory.

The daughter of Stormy Atlantic, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Joe Bravo, stopped the timer in 1:02 1/5, and paid $9.60, $4.20 and $3 across the board as third choice in the field of nine 3-year-old fillies.

Changeisgonnacome, who went off a slight favorite at 5-2, rallied to be second to complete the $40.60 exacta. Ticket to Seattle, the second choice, finished third, a half-length farther back.

Sea the Joy, owned by Team Victory, was making her turf debut in the Crank It Up. The Kentucky-bred won two stakes on the main track last year, but this was her first victory of 2007.

"This was her first time on the grass, and she sure showed she liked it today," Bravo said. "When Steve Asmussen sends one over, you know they'll be ready. She jumped right out of the gate and showed her heels to them."  

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June 16, 2007
... AND NOW, A MOTHER'S DAY STORY FOR FATHER'S DAY
Monmouth Park.com

Over the years, fillies that have run well at Monmouth have become broodmares whose foals have run well at Monmouth. It always pays to keep an eye on the activities of recently retired distaffers, and so this update is a Mother's Day note just in time for Father's Day.

Here's an alphabetical list of some local favorites, and where they are today.

CAN'T YOU SEE - This 9-year-old mare by Prince Charming, who averaged one victory every two years (a total of three) for owner-trainer Jeanne Vuyosevich, dropped a colt by Private Interview in New Jersey this spring. Vuyosevich said she might put the mare back in training, because she's due to win another race in 2008.

EMERALD EARRINGS - The 6-year-old mare by Helmsman captured the West Long Branch and Monmouth Beach Stakes here last year for trainer Bruce Alexander, and was retired with a record of 10 wins in 25 starts. She's in foal to Congrats, a son of A.P. Indy, and currently resides at Alexander's farm in upstate New York. She was originally scheduled to be sold at Keeneland last November, but missed the sale because of the quarantine of Monmouth's barns last fall.

GOLDEN LOCKET - The 5-year-old mare by Storm Creek, winner of the Serena's Song Stakes here in 2005 for trainer Vicki Oliver, is in foal to Malibu Moon, a son of A.P. Indy, and is in Kentucky.

HABIBOO - The 6-year-old mare has a strong Monmouth connection. For one thing, she's a daughter of Unbridled's Song, who broke his maiden first time out at Monmouth. Habiboo, owned and trained by Amy Tarrant, broke her maiden here in 2005, and then ran third in the Grade 2 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks. Three of her four career wins came at Monmouth. Now a part of Tarrant's broodmare band in Florida, she foaled a Forest Wildcat filly this year, and is in foal to Haskell winner Peace Rules.

MOOJI MOO - This long-time Monmouth favorite (Mooji Loves Monmouth, Monmouth Loves Mooji was her slogan), has a yearling filly by Empire Maker who is slated to sell at Keeneland this year, and is back in foal to the Belmont Stakes winner. Mooji Moo won four of six Monmouth starts, including the Regret and Red Cross Stakes for trainer Tim Hills.

MY LUCKY FREE - The 4-year-old by Mazel Trick enjoyed a short but sensational career for trainer Cam Gambolati. My Lucky Free won all three of her local starts, including the Regret and Blue Sparkler Stakes, and had an overall record of five wins in 12 career outings. She's in foal to Purge, a son of Pulpit whose Monmouth connection is a third-place finish in the 2005 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes.

PRETTY IMPOSING - The 7-year-old daughter of Defrere, who developed into a sharp sprinter under the direction of first Frank Generazio and last year Tony Wilson, won the Klassy Briefcase and Incredible Revenge Stakes here in 2006. Her record at Monmouth through three seasons was 5-3-1 in 16 starts. She's in foal to Bandini, a son of Fusaichi Pegasus, who just entered stud this year.

SMART N CLASSY - The 7-year-old New Jersey-bred by Smart Strike, is one in a long line of winning mares bred by John Bowers' Roseland Farm. Trained her entire career by John Tammaro 3rd, Smart n Classy won the Grade 3 Eatontown Handicap here in 2005, and compiled a 4-7-3 mark in 21 starts here. She's in foal to First Samurai, a son of Giant's Causeway.

TANGIER SOUND - Turf sprinting fillies don't come much better than this 7-year-old daughter of Rahy, who was retired after the 2004 season. Trained by Jim Ryerson, she won the Candy Éclair and Klassy Briefcase Stakes (twice) at Monmouth, accounting for three of her eight lifetime scores. Her first foal, now a yearling was a Johannesburg colt. This spring, she dropped a Forest Wildcat filly, and is in foal to Forest Camp, a son of Deputy Minister.

VOUS - The 6-year-old daughter of Wild Rush never pulled off the big win that trainer Tim Hills expected, but finished close in some major events. Her best finish at Monmouth was a close-up fourth in the Grade 3 Boiling Springs Stakes on turf. She won on dirt, but her best efforts came on grass. She dropped a filly by Gone West this spring, and is back in foal to First Samurai.

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June 15, 2007
KEVIN SLEETER NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Kevin Sleeter, who saddled three winners last week, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Sleeter will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Sleeter added three winners last week to bring his total for the meeting to six, which ties him for third place in the Monmouth trainer standings.

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June 14, 2007
KYLE BRANCH OUT INDEFINITELY WITH BROKEN HAND
Monmouth Park.com

Apprentice rider Kyle Branch, who was thrown from his mount after the last race on Saturday, will undergo surgery today in his hometown of Seattle, Washington, for a fractured left hand.

His agent, Doug Hatten, said the original estimate was that Branch would be out for six to eight weeks.
 
"But it might be longer," Hatten said. "They found another fracture they have to repair, and that could change the estimate. We'll know more after the surgery."

Branch finished last of 10 aboard Up On Top in Saturday's 10th race. The horse bucked while being pulled up, throwing the rider to the ground.

Branch, who claimed a seven-pound apprentice allowance, had a 2-1-2 record in 27 rides at Monmouth through Saturday. He won the first stakes race of his career aboard Indy Wind in the Frisk Me Now Stakes on May 28.

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June 13, 2007

MONMOUTH BC EXPECTED TO SELL OUT

Daily Racing Form by Mike Farrell

Breeders' Cup Saturday at Monmouth Park is headed for a sellout, based on the mail and on-line applications received by the June 6 deadline for the random-selection seat lottery.

"We felt the response was great," said Bill Knauf, Monmouth's vice president of marketing operations. "It looks like we are oversubscribed for the tickets allotted."

More than 4,600 online orders were received. Approximately 1,100 more arrived by mail for the 15,000 seats available for public sale. Each order application was limited to four tickets.

This marks the first time the Breeders' Cup expands its program to 11 races spread over a two-day period. Three new Breeders' Cup stakes will be run on Friday, Oct. 26. The main focus is Saturday, Oct. 27 when Monmouth hosts eight Breeders' Cup championship races, concluding with the Classic.

There will be no walkup admissions on Saturday. Everyone must have an advance-purchase general admission ticket for $50, or a reserved seat which can range as high as $300. Admission on Breeders' Cup Saturday will be capped at about 45,000.

When allocating seats, preference will be given to those ordering seats for both Friday and Saturday, although that was not a requirement for Saturday seats.

"Based on early scans, it seems to be a trend that many are selecting both," Knauf said. "We feel strongly that Friday will work out as well."

Prices for Friday will be cheaper. General admission can be purchased at Monmouth on race day at $10 for the grandstand and $15 for the clubhouse.

Applications received after the June 6 deadline go to a waiting list for any seats available after the initial allocation.

According to Knauf, the seat requests will be allocated by mid-July.

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June 13, 2007
PARK AVENUE BALL SIDELINED UNTIL FALL AFTER THROAT SURGERY
Monmouth Park.com

Char-Mari Stable's Park Avenue Ball, who has won a graded stakes race every season, including the Grade 3 Iselin Breeders' Cup Handicap here last year, will be out until the fall after undergoing throat surgery earlier this month.

Trainer Jim Ryerson said that the 5-year-old New Jersey-bred son of Citidancer had a breathing problem that surfaced after the horse finished sixth in his turf debut here on May 26.

Park Avenue Ball underwent surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., on June 5, and is back in Ryerson's barn at Monmouth.

"He won't make the Salvator Mile," Ryerson said, "but perhaps the throat surgery will help for his races in the fall."

The Grade 3 Salvator will be run June 23. Park Avenue Ball finished second to Flower Alley in the mile event last year. 

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June 10, 2007
SWEET FERVOR SCORES BY A HEAD IN WEST LONG BRANCH STAKES

Monmouth Park.com
 

CHEROKEE COUNTRY SAVES GROUND TO SCORE IN RUMSON STAKES

Oceanport, N.J. - Kinsman Stable's Sweet Fervor rallied widest around the turn before closing strongly down the center of the track and posting a head victory in the $65,000 West Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

In the $60,000 Rumson Stakes, Cherokee Country saved all the ground around the turn before angling out and drawing off to a length and a quarter victory after stepping the six furlongs in 1:09 1/5.

Trained by Bill Mott, Sweet Fervor covered the six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09 2/5 and returned $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10.  Solarana completed a $13.40 exacta and paid $3.60 and $2.60.  It was another head back to Suzzane who returned $2.60 to show in the field of seven fillies and mares.

"I saw Bill Mott yesterday and he told me I'd really enjoy this filly today," said winning rider Joe Bravo.  "The one thing he told me was that she doesn't like the stick, so I didn't hit her once today.  She had to overcome a lot, losing ground going wide and closing today.  She showed a lot of class this afternoon."

The West Long Branch score was the fifth in eight starts for the 4-year-old filly by Seeking the Gold by the In Reality mare Undeniably, who has now banked $252,108 for her connections.  Earlier this year she captured the Grade 2 Shirley Jones Breeders' Cup Handicap at Gulfstream.

Cherokee Country, who races in the colors of Victory Thoroughbreds LLC and is conditioned by Ramon Preciado, returned $11.80, $6.40 and $5.20 and topped a $160 exacta.  West Coast Flier paid $17.80 and $9.20 and bested Southwestern Heat by another length and a half.  Southwestern Heat, out of champion Xtra Heat, returned $6.40 to show.

"I was able to stay down on the inside and make my run from there," said winning jockey Jose Lezcano, after scoring his third victory on the card.  "Everything worked out perfectly.  He's a nice horse and finished up real strong."

Sunday's win was the fifth in 10 starts for Cherokee Country, a 3-year-old colt by Yonaguska from the Tri Jet mare Jetazelle.  She has now earned $133,800.

Prior to the stakes score on Cherokee Country, Lezcano booted home Ide Rejoice ($7.60) to win the sixth race and Talkin About Love ($4.80) in the seventh.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, June 13 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always, the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcasting.

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June 9, 2007
WILDEYED DREAMER RALLIES TO WIN LONGFELLOW BY NOSE
Monmouth Park.com

AUDACIOUS CHLOE, 7-10, CAPTURES LITTLE SILVER ON GRASS

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Wildeyed Dreamer, a longshot, and Audacious Chloe, an odds-on favorite, captured the two stakes races at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

In the $65,000 Longfellow Stakes, Charles W. Everett's Wildeyed Dreamer, who was the longest price in the field of five at 7-1, caught Wild Jam right at the wire for a nose victory.

In the $60,000 Little Silver Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf, Team Valor & Never Tell Farm's Audacious Chloe gained command rounding the turn and went on to win by nearly two lengths over a closing Cabbage Key.

Wildeyed Dreamer, trained by Scott Lake and ridden by Chuck C. Lopez, stopped the timer in 1:09 1/5 for the six furlongs on the fast main track, and paid $16.40, $6.20 and $3 across the board.

Wild Jam, who went off the 2-1 second choice, completed the $52.60 exacta. Kazoo finished third and John's Pic was fourth. Slam Bammy, the 3-2 favorite, was pulled up on the turn.

This was the fourth straight victory this year for Wildeyed Dreamer, a 4-year-old son of West Acre, who had done all his racing at Philadelphia Park this year. Lake claimed him for $18,000 out of a race in March, and the gelding has never lost while in his care.

Audacious Chloe, trained by Todd Pletcher, became the fifth stakes winner of the young meeting for jockey Chris DeCarlo. The daughter of More Than Ready, who won the Junior Champion Stakes here as a 2-year-old, never looked like failing to justify her 7-10 odds.

She zoomed into command rounding the stretch turn and easily held her daylight margin to the end, stopping the timer in 1:40 1/5 for the mile and a sixteenth on firm turf. Audacious Chloe paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10 across the board, and topped a $19.20 exacta with Cabbage Key, who went off at 8-1. Wine Diva, the second choice in the field of eight fillies, was third.

"The instructions were to get her covered up at all costs," DeCarlo said. "When I got her tucked in behind some horses, she was able to relax a little bit. Once I tipped her out, it was all over."

Audacious Chloe is now unbeaten in three starts this season. Earlier this year, she won the Gaily Gaily Stakes at Gulfstream, and the Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland.

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June 6, 2007
LUNCHEON TO BENEFIT RERUN PROGRAM SET FOR JUNE 23
Monmouth Park.com

ReRun's annual Day at the Races to raise funds will be held Saturday, June 23, at Monmouth Park.

ReRun, a Thoroughbred adoption program with chapters in New Jersey, Kentucky and New York, finds homes for retired Thoroughbred runners.

Those attending the luncheon at Monmouth will enjoy free parking, program and clubhouse admission, plus a buffet luncheon, silent auction and raffles. All proceeds go toward furthering the work of the New Jersey chapter of ReRun, which currently has 50 horses ready for adoption.

More information on ReRun and the luncheon can be found on the group's website, www.rerun.org, or by calling 732-521-1370.

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June 6, 2007
SCOTT VOLK NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE MONTH FOR MAY
Monmouth Park.com

Scott Volk, who kicked off the 2007 Monmouth meeting with five winners from the first eight horses he saddled, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Month for May. The award will be given on a weekly basis starting in June, but was awarded for the first eight days of the meet because Monmouth raced only on weekends in May.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Volk will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

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June 6, 2007
EDDIE CASTRO RIDES FIVE WINNERS ON MONMOUTH CARD
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Jockey Eddie Castro guided Hopes and Dreams to victory in the $45,000 allowance feature at Monmouth Park on Wednesday for his fifth winner of the day.

Hopes and Dreams, trained by Stanley Hough, scored by nearly three lengths and paid $4.20 as the 11-10 favorite. She raced the mile and a sixteenth over a turf course labeled "good" in 1:40 4/5.

Dancingupastorm was second to complete the $34.20 exacta, and Regina Madre finished third in the field of eight fillies and mares.

This was the second win in four starts this year for Hopes and Dreams, a 4-year-old daughter of More Than Ready owned by Castletop Stable & Cobra Stable.

Monmouth's record for most wins by a jockey on one card is six, held jointly by Walter Blum, Julie Krone and Joe Bravo.

Castro's four winners earlier included both halves of the early daily double.

Castro, who came into the day's racing tied for third place in the rider standings with 11 winners, won the first race aboard Lethal Weapon ($3.40) for trainer Bruce Levine, and then came right back to take the second aboard Brave at Heart ($7.40) for trainer Tim Hills. The daily double returned $14.20.

In the fourth race, Castro was placed first via disqualification on Uriel's Tiger ($11.60) for trainer Bruce Alexander. He completed his grand slam with a win aboard Satira ($10.20) for Eddie Broome.

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Sunday, June 3, 2007
HADDIE BE GOOD SCORES IN CANDY ÉCLAIR STAKES ON SUNDAY
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. - James B. Malcolm's Haddie Be Good moved past pacesetter Spanish Lullaby at the top of the strait, before posting a length and a quarter victory over that rival in the $60,000 Candy Éclair Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Haddie Be Good stopped the timer in 1:01 2/5 for the five and a half furlongs over firm turf and returned $7.20, $3.80 and $3.60 as the second choice in the field of nine fillies and mares.  Spanish Lullaby paid $4.20 and $3.60 and completed a $35.80 exacta.  Mohegan Sky, the 2-1 favorite, was fourth lengths back in third, good for a $3 show mutuel.

"Good horses make you ride good races," said winning rider Joe Bravo, a 12-time riding champion at Monmouth Park.  "This filly put me in the game early and rode the fence around the turn.  In the stretch she just powered past that other filly (Spanish Lullaby).  I knew we'd be tough right from the break."

Sunday's win marked the fifth in 15 starts for the 4-year-old filly by Silver Deputy from the You and I mare Haddie.  She has now banked $200,565 for her connections.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, June 6 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always, the track is open seven days a week for full-card simulcasting.

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June 2, 2007
MONMOUTH BEGINS REGULAR RACING SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY
Monmouth Park.com

Starting Wednesday, June 6, Monmouth will go to a five-day-a-week racing schedule, presenting live cards Wednesday through Sunday every week until the summer portion of the meeting closes on Sept. 2. Mondays and Tuesdays will be dark days, but Monmouth will be open for simulcasting those days.
 
Post time each racing day will be 12:50, with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. each day. The only exception to the schedule will be on Haskell Invitational Day, Sunday, Aug. 5, when gates open at 10 a.m., and post time for the first race will be 12 noon.

Monmouth will present a four-day special meeting October 24-27, that culminates with the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Saturday, Oct. 27.

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June 2, 2007
SMART ENOUGH WINS WOLF HILL IN COURSE RECORD TIME
NERVE NEVER HEADED IN SPEND A BUCK STAKES SCORE
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Edith R. Dixon's Smart Enough powered his way to victory in track record time as he dominated the $60,000 Wolf Hill Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday. In the day's co-feature, the $60,000 Spend a Buck Stakes, Winning Move Stable & H. Lerner's Nerve led every step of the way as the 4-5 favorite.

Smart Enough, trained by John R.S. Fisher and ridden by Chris DeCarlo started the even-money favorite and left no doubt about who was the best horse. The 4-year-old son of Horse Chestnut came out of the turf chute under a full head of steam and ripped off fractions of :21 2/5 and :43 1/5 en route to a record clocking of 1:00 4/5 for five and a half furlongs over the firm turf course. He destroyed the old record of 1:02 2/5 set by Terrific Challenge last August.

Mr. Silver, who tried to challenge the winner entering the stretch, finished second, two and a half lengths behind Smart Enough, and a head before Bingobear.
Smart Enough paid $4, $3 and $2.20 across the board as the choice in the field of eight, and topped a $20.80 exacta.

This was the third stakes victory in three starts on Monmouth turf for Smart Enough, who last year won the Lamplighter at one mile, and the Restoration at five furlongs. This was his first start since last November 3, when he ran second in a sprint stakes at Churchill Downs. Smart Enough now has a lifetime record of 6-1-2 in nine starts, and the $36,000 prize boosted his earnings to $256,065.

"This is his fourth track record," Fisher said, "so I wasn't that surprised how well he ran. I told Chris to just come out of there and see how it goes. We weren't necessarily planning on being in front. Chris told me that as soon as the gates opened, it was over. He trained very well up to this all spring."

In the Spend a Buck, Nerve, trained by Gary Contessa and ridden by Eddie Castro, took command at the start and dominated all the running, winning by three and a quarter lengths as the 4-5 favorite. Nerve raced the one mile over a fast track in 1:35 4/5, and paid $3.80 and $2.10 across the board. He topped an $8.40 exacta.

Saratoga Lulaby, the second choice at 9-5, had some traffic trouble soon after the start, but managed to put some pressure on the winner entering the stretch only to flatten out in the drive. He finished second, 10 1/2 lengths in front of Whiskey Lit, with Ghost Orie last in the field of four 3-year-olds.

This was the second straight score and first career stakes victory for Nerve, a Florida-bred son of Tour d'Or who has won three of five lifetime starts.

"He broke good and I was able to put him right on the lead," Castro said. "He was able to relax down the backside, which was a big help. In the lane, he just kicked it into another gear and opened up for me."

Earlier on the card, Joe Bravo, who is shooting for a 13th Monmouth riding title, scored a consecutive triple. Bravo won the second on Liberal Bias ($8), the third on Tipsy Tune ($4) and the fourth on Judith Basin ($5.40).

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May 28, 2007
INDY WIND RALLIES TO WIN FRISK ME NOW STAKES AT MONMOUTH; TOP CROSS SCORES EASILY IN LAMPLIGHTER ON TURF AS 4-5 CHOICE
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Hardacre Farm's Indy Wind fulfilled the promise he showed as a 3-year-old, as he uncorked a scintillating rally in the final sixteenth to upset the $65,000 Frisk Me Now Stakes at Monmouth Park on Monday.

In the day's co-feature, the $60,000 Lamplighter Stakes on the grass, Wertheimer and Frere's Top Cross dominated a field of 3-year-olds to win as the 4-5 favorite.

Indy Wind, trained by owner Amy Tarrant, carried apprentice jockey Kyle Branch to the first stakes victory of his career. Indy Wind, a 5-year-old son of A.P. Indy reeled in the speeding Gotcha Gold in the final 70 yards to stop the timer in 1:39 2/5 for the one mile and 70-yard event on the fast main track.

The winner, who opened nearly two lengths on Gotcha Gold in the blink of an eye, paid $25.40, $9.60 and $3.40 across the board. Gotcha Gold, who set very fast fractions (half in :44 flat and six furlongs in 1:08 3/5) held second by three-quarters of a length over 2-5 favorite Accountforthegold, and completed the $212.60 exacta.

Indy Wind stormed onto the Monmouth scene in 2005, when he broke his maiden at first asking, and then won an allowance race by more than 10 lengths. He was considered for Monmouth's $1 million Haskell, but came up with injuries and did not race again that season.
Last year he won an allowance race here and finished second in the Skip Away Stakes. Indy Wind finished his season by winning the Alysheba at the Meadowlands.

"I thought he'd be a little closer, and I got a little nervous when I saw him slip farther and farther back," Tarrant said. "I told Kyle he would need to wake this horse up at the quarter pole to get his mind on business. He did that, and when I saw Indy kick in, I just started screaming."

The win was the first at Monmouth for Branch, and the first stakes score of his young career.

"I sat off the pace like Amy told me to," he said. "When I asked him, he just kicked in. This horse has a lot of heart. This is honestly the best horse I've ever ridden."

Indy Wind now has a 4-1-1 record in six Monmouth starts, and a 5-1-1 mark in 11 lifetime outings. The $39,000 winner's share brought his total to $170,300.

In the Lamplighter, Top Cross made an explosive move around the turn to take the lead, and then was in complete command to the wire, winning the way a 4-5 favorite should, by more than three lengths.

Chaluiwitcane came on late to take the place by a length and a quarter over Encaustic, who had helped set much of the pace.

Top Cross, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Chris DeCarlo, stepped the mile and a sixteenth over the firm turf course in 1:41 and paid $3.60, $3 and $2.20 across the board. The exacta returned $28.20.

This was the third victory in five starts on the grass for Top Cross, a son of Gone West - Top Order, by Dayjur, who was bred by his owner. The colt broke his maiden on grass at Calder last November, and this winter took an allowance on turf at Gulfstream.

"We had this horse in Florida," said Anthony Sciametta jr., Pletcher's assistant at Monmouth. "When he broke his maiden on the grass (Nov. 16 at Calder), Chris (jockey DeCarlo) loved him. But I thought he had a long way to go, and that he needed to improve a lot. Well he has. He just keeps getting better and better."

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May 28, 2007
MONMOUTH WILL RESUME RACING SCHEDULE ON FRIDAY
Monmouth Park.com

After racing all three days of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Monmouth Park will be dark on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Live racing will resume on Friday, June 1.
 
Monmouth will offer live programs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 1-3, and the following week on June 6 will start a regular schedule of five cards a week, Wednesday through Sunday, until the summer meeting ends on Sunday, Sept. 2.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m. each day, with post time for the first race set at 12:50 p.m.
 
Racing action this week will be highlighted by the first 2-year-old races of the season here, scheduled for Friday and Sunday, and by three stakes races. On Saturday, the $60,000 Spend a Buck Stakes and $60,000 Wolf Hill Stakes will top the card. On Sunday, the main event will be the $60,000 Candy Éclair Stakes.

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May 28, 2007
FRISK ME NOW STAKES HONORS MEMORY OF BOB DURSO
Monmouth Park.com

Monday's Frisk Me Now Stakes pays tribute to the colt who showed off his talent in New Jersey for four seasons in the late 1990s, and it honors the memory of his trainer, Bob Durso, who passed away in January at his home in Florida.

Frisk Me Now began his career as a 2-year-old on July 12, 1996 at Monmouth Park and two starts later broke his maiden.  In early 1997, the son of Mister Frisky made headlines when he won Gulfstream Park's Hutcheson Stakes at odds of 105-1.  He went on to take the Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah, Ohio Derby at Thistledown, and Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park.  His 3-year-old campaign included starts in the Preakness Stakes and Haskell Invitational.
 
In 1998, Durso sent "The Frisk" back into action, and the colt proved as good as ever in winning the Widener Handicap at Hialeah Park and the Suburban at Belmont Park. 
 
After a disappointing start to his 5-year-old campaign, Frisk Me Now showed there was still something left in the tank when he posted a neck win in the Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Sprint Championship at seven furlongs.  He closed out his career where it began, taking Monmouth Park's Elkwood Stakes before going on to win the Iselin Handicap - giving his connections one of the biggest prizes in New Jersey racing.
 
The four years that Frisk Me Now excelled was icing on the cake for Bob Durso, who spent four decades in the game saddling winners and making friends.
 
He began his training career in 1958, spending most of his time on the New Jersey-South Florida circuit.  While Bob enjoyed great success with claimers, allowance runners and a few stakes horses throughout the years, it was with Frisk Me Now that Durso rose to the highest levels of the sport.  Purchased privately for less than $20,000 as a 2-year-old, Frisk Me Now went on to win 12 of 36 starts and earned more than $1.7 million in purses, all the while racing in the colors of Durso's wife, Carol Dender.
 
Throughout his nearly 50-year career, and long before Frisk Me Now came to around, Durso had earned the respect of his colleagues, not just for his horsemanship, but more importantly for his kindness.
 
"He was a real nice man - a gentle giant really," recalled Chuck Spina, a fellow trainer and friend for more than 35 years.
 
"Bob was a great trainer and an even greater friend to horse racing," said Robert Kulina, vice president and general manager at Monmouth Park.  "I know everyone here will miss his presence, his kindness and most of all his friendship."
 
"We'd been friends since I came to New Jersey in 1988," said Eddie King, the regular rider of Frisk Me Now.  "Bob was such a loyal person, and a friend that I'm really going to miss."

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May 27, 2007
TURF EXPERIMENT OVER, PARK AVENUE BALL AIMS FOR SALVATOR

Monmouth Park.com

Char-Mari Stable's Park Avenue Ball, a graded stakes winner each season he's raced, had his first taste of turf in Saturday's Elkwood Stakes, a start trainer Jim Ryerson termed "an experiment."
  
Park Avenue Ball pressed the pace for three-quarters, but faded in the stretch to finish sixth of seven. The 5-year-old son of Citidancer never looked comfortable in his grass debut, and never made an impression.
  
"The experiment is over," Ryerson said Sunday morning. "He came out of the race fine. He's still on target to go in the Salvator Mile next." 

The 60th running of the $150,000 Salvator Mile, a Grade 3 test, is set for Saturday, June 23. 

In last year's renewal of the one-mile test, Park Avenue Ball ran a game race, but could not withstand the closing kick of Flower Alley, and had to settle for second behind that Grade 1 winner.

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May 27, 2007
REDASPEN RALLIES TO TAKE POLITELY ON TURF AT MONMOUTH; JERSEY GIA OUTDUELS PURE DISCO TO WIN OPEN MIND HANDICAP
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Equivine Farm's Redaspen unleashed a powerful stretch kick and rolled past the leaders in deep stretch to score an upset victory in Sunday's $60,000 Politely Stakes on the turf at Monmouth Park.

In the co-feature, the $60,000 Open Mind Handicap, Jersey Gia sprang a surprise by getting back in gear in deep stretch to top a field of New Jersey-bred fillies and mares.
 
Redaspen, a 7-1 chance trained by Tim Woolley and ridden by Victor Molina, was far back early as the leaders clipped off fractions of :23 4/5, :47 2/5 and 1:10 1/5 over the firm going. Turning for home, Somethinaboutbetty, the even-money favorite, took sole possession of the lead. But the winner was in high gear and flying on the outside and was along in time to win by nearly two lengths in a final time of 1:34 1/5 for the mile.

Somethinaboutbetty was passed near the wire by the 28-1 A Different Tune, who completed the $306.60 exacta.
   
Redaspen, a 5-year-old daughter of Bianconi, paid $17.80, $8 and $3.40 across the board in winning her seventh race in 20 career starts. Her last score came last November at the Meadowlands, when she used similar tactics to win the Navajo Princess Stakes.
  
 "She loves Jersey turf," Woolley said. "Everything went right today. In turf racing, you never know if you'll get all the breaks. We'll be back in a few weeks for the Eatontown Stakes (Grade 3 on June 16)."
  
The Open Mind for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares was strictly a two-horse race from gate to wire. Jersey Gia broke sharply in contrast to 8-5 favorite Pure Disco, who came out of the gate a step slow. Pure Disco moved up along the rail to take the lead rounding the turn, and seemed to open enough daylight in the stretch to get the job done. But Jersey Gia, who had dropped back a bit on the turn, switched leads once she straightened away, and ran down the choice for a neck victory at the wire in a sizzling 1:09 flat for six furlongs on the fast track. Midnight Mile was a distant third.
 
Jersey Gia, owned and trained by Peter Kazamias and ridden by Daniel Centeno, paid $17.40, $5.60 and $5.20 across the board. The 6 year-old mare by Carr de Naskra, claimed for $25,000 by Kazamias in March, earned $36,000 for the victory, her 13th in 34 career starts.

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May 24, 2007
PARK AVENUE BALL GOES ON GREEN IN SATURDAY'S ELKWOOD
Monmouth Park.com

Everything's coming up green for Saturday's card at Monmouth Park.

The new turf course, installed just a year ago, is resplendent now that it's had time to settle. It gets its first test of the 2007 season Saturday with three races scheduled for grass -- the $60,000 Elkwood Stakes, a $45,000 allowance/optional claimer, and a $35,000 claiming race.

Appropriately enough in this springtime of new beginnings, a dedicated dirt horse will get his first try on turf when Char-Mari Stable's Park Avenue Ball tops a field of 11 in the one-mile Elkwood.

Park Avenue Ball, a 5-year-old New Jersey-bred , is a multiple stakes winner on the dirt, with a major victory in every season of racing so far. Jim Ryerson saddled the son of Citidancer to win the Futurity (G2) at 2, the Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) at 3, and the Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) at 4.

Now, a new world will open up for Park Avenue Ball, and Ryerson is hoping his horse appreciates the change. With the Breeders' Cup Thoroughbred Championships at Monmouth this year, the trainer wants to keep all his options open.

"Through the years, we've thought off and on about trying him on the grass," Ryerson said. "Charlie and Marianne Hesse (the owners and breeders) and I kicked it around each season.

"We always thought about trying him on turf in a Breeders' Cup context," the trainer said. "On the dirt, there was only the Sprint and the Classic, and neither distance was ideal. Then there was the Mile on the grass.

"A mile is a good distance for him," Ryerson said. "That's where he fits the best. So now's the time to explore how he'll like a mile on the turf."

Park Avenue Ball will face some serious competition in the Elkwood. The Todd Pletcher-trained Host is a Grade 1 winner on grass (Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland); the Bill Mott-conditioned Classic Campaign is a stakes winner this season on turf (Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream), and Touched By Madness is a stakes winner at Monmouth (Jersey Derby). In Brad Thomas's morning line, Park Avenue Ball is 5-1 third choice behind Classic Campaign (5-2) and Host (3-1).

Park Avenue Ball will also have a new jockey for the Elkwood. With regular rider Chris DeCarlo booked on Host, Ryerson has given the call to Eddie Castro, who won the Breeders' Cup Mile aboard Miesque's Approval last year.

"We'll find out whether or not he likes the turf Saturday," Ryerson said. "But whatever happens, his next main goal this season is the Salvator Mile."

That $150,000, Grade 3 event will be run Saturday, June 23, on the main track. Last year, Park Avenue Ball ran a strong race in the Salvator Mile, but had to settle for second when Flower Alley stepped up with an even bigger performance.

Charles Hesse, a mainstay of New Jersey racing for decades as a breeder and owner, passed away late last year. His wife, Marianne, is continuing the family tradition of running good horses at Monmouth Park.

"Marianne and her family enjoy racing, and they're carrying on the same as before," Ryerson said.

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May 24, 2007
BETTY ANDERSON DIES, OPERATED FRENCHMAN'S KITCHEN
Monmouth Park.com

Betty Anderson, who owned and operated the Frenchman's Kitchen on the Monmouth backstretch, died Wednesday at her home in Palmetto Bay, Florida. She was 81.

Mrs. Anderson, a native of Chicago, owned and operated backstretch cafeterias at several racetracks in the country for decades before retiring eight years ago.

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May 17, 2007
SPRINT STALWARTS AWAIT NEXT CHANCE TO SHOW OFF THEIR SPEED
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth's new dirt track proved very much to the liking of Joey P., who won the Decathlon Stakes in record time of 1:01 4/5 for the five and a half furlongs last Saturday. Two other accomplished sprinters, Slam Bammy and Who's the Cowboy, also broke the old mark (1:02 4/5) in finishing second and third in the opening day feature.

It was an exciting kickoff to Monmouth's 62nd and perhaps most special season, one that will culminate in October with the Breeders' Cup Thoroughbred Championships.

Long before that Oct. 26-27 festival, however, the three sprinters will have laid down some swift fractions in stakes races here and at other venues in the East.

Joey P. owned and bred by John Petrini, scored his first victory for trainer Ben Perkins Jr. since he took the Longfellow Stakes last June 18. The 5-year-old New Jersey-bred could be back in that event again when it is renewed on June 9. Joey P. also won last year's John J. Reilly Stakes for state-breds, which will be renewed here on May 26, but he won't wheel right back this season.

"Mr. Petrini has John's Pick nominated to the Reilly," Perkins said, "and he'll be our runner in there. We'll wait a couple of more weeks for Joey P.

"He came out of the race great," Perkins said of his big horse. "He had a breathing problem that was corrected over the winter, and it looks like he's back as good as ever.

"We're looking at two races on the same day," Perkins said. "He'll probably go in the Longfellow here, or the True North at Belmont."

Both races are at six furlongs, but the True North, a Grade 2 test, will undoubtedly be a tougher spot.

Perkins' longest-range plans so far carry Joey P. only through early July.

"Ideally," the trainer said, "we'd like to take him back to Calder again this summer."

The race he's aiming for is the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder Race Course on July 7. Joey P. finished sixth in the $500,000 event last year.

Slam Bammy, owned by Peter Congelosi and trained by Joe Orseno, won last year's edition of the Decathlon and finished second to Joey P. in the Longfellow. The 6-year-old son of Grand Slam is being pointed to the Longfellow again.

"He came back great," Orseno said. "Joey P. got the jump on us Saturday, but Slam Bammy is ready to come back in the Longfellow."

Gerry Sleeter's Who's the Cowboy, like Joey P. a New Jersey-bred, was bursting with energy this week after being a closing third behind his two main foes in the Decathlon. He's set to wheel right back in the Reilly at six furlongs.

"The five and a half furlongs is too short for him," Sleeter said. "But he came out of the race really good. The Decathlon should set him up perfectly for the Reilly."

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May 17, 2007

TVG On New Jersey Comcast Digital Cable Menu
Oceanport Racing Report.com

(edited from TVG press release)
TVG has reached agreement with Comcast Cable to make the network available to its digital cable subscribers throughout New Jersey.

The agreement makes TVG the only horseracing network currently available to Comcast TV customers in the Garden State, and the only network where New Jersey residents can watch races from Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands.

On May 8, Comcast began delivering TVG throughout New Jersey on the Preferred Channel 260. Comcast customers in New Jersey now receive the full lineup of TVG programming, including live horseracing coverage, analysis and updates.

TVG's partnership with Comcast gives them daily access to these New Jersey homes, bringing the network’s total U.S. distribution to more than 27 million households.

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May 12, 2007
JOEY P. SETS TRACK RECORD IN WINNING DECATHLON STAKES AS MONMOUTH KICKS OFF 79-DAY 2007 SEASON BEFORE 13,066
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - John Petrini's Joey P. rolled to a record-setting victory in the $60,000 Decathlon Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday, as 13,066 fans gave a rousing welcome back to Thoroughbred racing at the Jersey Shore.

"It was a great opening day," said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. "And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I'm sure this will be the best season ever in the history of Monmouth Park."

Saturday was the first of 79 cards at Monmouth this year. The summer meet runs through Sunday, Sept. 2, and the final four days of racing will be presented Oct. 24-27, with two Breeders' Cup Championship Days on Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27.

"If today is any indication of how the meeting will go," Dowd said, "we're looking at a banner 2007 Monmouth meeting."

Joey P., with perennial leading jockey Joe Bravo in the irons, reaffirmed his love of Monmouth Park as he scored his ninth victory in 13 starts here. He raced the five and a half furlongs in 1:01 4/5, breaking the track record by a full second. The mark of 1:02 4/5 was set last year by Man of Danger.

Joey P., trained by Ben Perkins Jr., stalked the fast early pace (a quarter in :21 3/5 and a half in :44 1/5) set by Introspect and Yes Yes Yes before asserting himself on the stretch turn. The 5-year-old New Jersey-bred gelding by Close Up opened a daylight lead in mid-stretch and had more than enough left to hold off Slam Bammy, who closed to within two lengths at the wire. Who's the Cowboy closed belatedly to be third, two lengths behind Slam Bammy.

Joey P., the 7-5 favorite in the field of five, paid $4.80, $3.60 and $2.40 across the board and topped the $27.80 exacta with Slam Bammy.

This was Joey P.'s first victory since he won the Longfellow Stakes at Monmouth last June 18.
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May 12, 2007
TVG TO PROVIDE TELEVISION COVERAGE OF 2007 MONMOUTH MEET
Monmouth Park. Com

The TVG horseracing network will provide exclusive television coverage of the entire Monmouth meeting, from Saturday's opener through Sept. 2.

TVG will provide live on-track coverage of the opening weekend activities, with analyst Matt Carothers providing on-site commentary.

Racing fans in New Jersey can access TVG's Monmouth coverage through several sources. Comcast is now distributing TVG to its cable systems throughout the state (channel 260). TVG is also available on Cablevision (channel 402), DIRECTV (channel 602), and Dish Network (channel 405).

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April 25, 2007
EHV-1 VACCINATION REQUIRED TO STABLE AND RACE AT MONMOUTH PARK
Monmouth Park.com

All horses stabling at Monmouth Park and any horse that is to run over the racing surface is required to have a vaccination against Herpes Equine Virus Type 1 (EHV-1) before being allowed access to the grounds.  Vaccinations must be administered not less than seven days, nor more than 90 days prior to any horse’s arrival.

These vaccinations are in addition to the normal Coggins and certificate of veterinary inspection that have been required in the past.
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April 16, 2007
MONMOUTH PARK STABLE AREA OPENS FOR 2007 SEASON
AS HORSES BRAVE ELEMENTS AND SETTLE IN AT RACETRACK
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. - The wet weather on Monday morning could not dampen the spirits of trainer Jason Servis, as he was the first to ship in a string of horses to the Monmouth Park backstretch - all in preparation for the track's 2007 season, which gets underway on Saturday, May 12.

"It's exciting to be back," said Servis, who arrived from Belmont Park with 28 horses at 8:00 a.m.  "I'm always happy to be back at Monmouth.  You could see the improvements already with the Breeders' Cup coming.  It's going to be a great time and a season to look forward to."

Monmouth Park will play host to the Breeders' Cup in late October, with Breeders' Cup races set for Oct. 26 and 27.  In preparation for racing's biggest day, the track has undergone millions of dollars in improvements, including overhauling many of the barns in the backstretch, one of them Barn 2, where Servis is stabled.

"I've got a good mix of horses for this season," said Servis, who is a two-time leading trainer at the Meadowlands.  "There's some nice allowance horses and 2-year-olds - overall a real good mix."

The track is scheduled to open for training at the end of the week, pending the continued rain that has plagued the Jersey Shore for the past two days.

Joining Servis for the opening of the stable area was Gregg Sacco, John Pregman and John Tammaro III.  Some new faces expected to join the familiar ranks of the Monmouth trainers are:  John Kimmel, John Rigattieri and Kentucky Derby winning trainer Barclay Tagg, who will have a string of horses at the Oceanport Racetrack.

The regular 2007 racing season goes from May 12 through Sept. 2, highlighted by the $1 million Haskell Invitational, presented by Vonage, on Aug. 5.

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April 3, 2007

Wild Gams Takes Top New Jersey-bred Honors
Oceanport Racing Report.com

(Edited press release)

Multiple graded stakes winner Wild Gams has been named New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly for 2006. Bred and owned by New Farm, the daughter of Forest Wildcat is trained by Ben Perkins, Jr.

Wild Gams began her black-type success by winning the Oxford Scholar and Cicada Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct. She ran a strong second in the Prioress Breeders’ Cup (gr. I), after which she was victorious against older horses in the Eleven North Handicap at Belmont Park. Wild Gams finished the year with a score in the Safely Kept Breeders’ Cup (gr. III) at Laurel Park. 

The filly won five of eight starts last year with earnings of $364,387.

Gunsmith Stables' homebred Our Fantene was named champion 2-year-old filly after capturing three of four starts last year, including the Sorority Stakes at Monmouth and the filly division of the New Jersey Futurity at Meadowlands. The dam of Our Fantene, Our Cozzette, was awarded the same honor in 2001. Our Fantene is trained by Cal Lynch.

Dennis Drazin’s homebred Camacthmagnificent was named top 2-year-old male after winning two of three starts in 2006, including the colt division of the New Jersey Futurity. He is trained by Jason Servis.

Presidential Thoroughbreds' Meadow Blue was honored as New Jersey's leading 3-year-old male after scoring in three of nine starts, including the Lincroft Handicap at Monmouth Park against older horses. Bred by Mike Brown and trained by Kelly John Breen, Meadow Blue earned $134,975 in 2006.

Other New Jersey-bred champions are as follows:
Horse, award, owner, breeder, trainer

I’mtoogoodtobetrue, handicap female, Dr. Phillip Torsney (owner/breeder), Ned Allard.

Park Avenue Ball, handicap male, Char-Mari Stables, C.J. Hesse, James Ryerson.

Who’s the Cowboy, sprinter, Gerald Sleeter, Carolyn Sleeter, Kevin Sleeter.
 
In addition, Diamonds and Legs, the dam of Wild Gams, was named New-Jersey bred broodmare of the year, while Intensity received honors as top stallion in the Garden State.

A chestnut colt by Gone West-Ambassador of Luck, by What Luck, Intensity is the sire of four stakes winners. He stood at Carolyn and Gerald Sleeter’s Sleeter Farm until his death in 2002. Intensity has lifetime progeny earnings of more than $2.1 million, with the stallion’s average earnings per starter at $103,082. Intensity’s top earner is Who’s the Cowboy, a 5-yr-old gelding who won four stakes races in 2006 to bring his career earnings to $605,037.

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April 1, 2007

Monmouth: Iselin purse rises $50K

Daily Racing Form, Joe DeVivo

Very little has changed since last year on the Monmouth Park stakes schedule. Aside from the shift of one turf stakes from late August to the season's first stakes and a $50,000 purse boost to one of the track's 10 Grade 3 events, the 2007 schedule closely resembles the 2006 stakes package. The $4.4 million stakes schedule released Thursday does not include any of the races that will be run during the special four-day Breeders' Cup mini-meet in late October or any overnight stakes.

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