August 1, 2011
HASKELL: COIL GIVES BAFFERT ANOTHER SCORE ON THE SHORE
By Jay Privman, DRF

Coil and Martin Garcia uncork a late run to beat Shackleford and Jesus Castanon in Sunday's Haskell at Monmouth.
OCEANPORT, N.J. - After watching a highly regarded 2-year-old flop in his debut on Saturday at Del Mar, then having their private plane re-routed to an inconvenient airport located miles from here early Sunday morning, the connections of Coil, trainer Bob Baffert said, thought they were enduring, as he put it, “the trip from hell.”

“We didn’t get to our hotel until 5 a.m.,” he said. “And they were out of rooms, so we had to double up on some.”
And then the gates opened Sunday afternoon for the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, and Coil broke dead last in the field of eight.

“I thought, ‘This trip from hell is not over yet,’” Baffert said.
But Coil provided a stirring final leg of the trip. Despite being the most inexperienced 3-year-old in the race, he rallied from last under a confident ride from jockey Martin Garcia to defeat Shackleford, the Preakness winner, and Ruler On Ice, the Belmont winner, adding his name to the elongated list of contenders for the male 3-year-old title.

Coil ($8.40), the second choice behind Shackleford, prevailed by a neck after a thrilling stretch drive. Ruler On Ice was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third.

“It’s a happy ending to a trip that started off a little rocky,” Baffert said.
On a warm, yet clear afternoon, Coil covered 1 1/8 miles on the fast main track in 1:48.20. The main track seemed to be favoring outside lanes all day, and that is where Coil wound up after starting from the rail.

“He got off the rail, and he got him to the outside,” said Baffert’s top assistant, Jim Barnes, who yelled himself hoarse while cheering adjacent to the winner’s circle.

“How did you do it?” Baffert yelled to Garcia as he came back with Coil after the race.
“He won it,” Garcia said, pointing to Coil.
Baffert, though, singled out Garcia as the critical reason for Coil’s success. It was Garcia who first told Baffert to take blinkers off of Coil, an equipment change that was made for the Haskell. Coil responded with two sensational works at Del Mar in the fortnight before the Haskell.

“The ride this kid put on this horse was unbelievable,” Baffert said at a postrace press conference.
Garcia said Coil “was ready, but threw his head up” just as the starting gate opened. Joe Vann took the early lead, and set fractions of 23.38 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.02 seconds for a half-mile with Shackleford right alongside him.

Shackleford surged to the lead just after six furlongs were covered in 1:10.68, but by then Coil was launching his winning bid.

“I didn’t want to move too soon,” Garcia said. “When I first asked him, he took off. I said, ‘Oh [expletive], I’ve got a lot of horse.’”

Garcia said Coil idled once getting up to Shackleford.
“My horse made it interesting,” he said.
Coil gave Baffert his record fifth Haskell victory, all since 2001. Baffert, Garcia, and Coil’s owners - Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman - teamed to win the race one year ago with Lookin At Lucky, who went on to be the champion 3-year-old male.

Coil is a son of Point Given, who gave Baffert his first Haskell win in 2001. Coil has now won four times in six starts.

The victory in the race, part the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, gives Coil an automatic berth in the BC Classic at Churchill Downs in November.

Like Point Given and Lookin At Lucky, Coil will now pursue the 3-year-old title. Pegram said the Travers at Saratoga is next.

“I’d be shocked it we didn’t go,” Pegram said. “This was his first race on dirt. Where else are you going to race on dirt?”

_______________________
July 31, 2011
COIL GOES FROM LAST TO FIRST TO GIVE BOB BAFFERT FIFTH WIN IN MONMOUTH PARK'S $1 MILLION HASKELL INVITATIONAL
Monmouth Park.com

Coil unleashed a powerful run through the stretch that carried him to a sharp victory in Sunday’s $1 million Resorts Casino Hotel Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park, putting him squarely in the race for 3-year-old championship honors.

A crowd of 38,895 saw the lightly raced colt give trainer Bob Baffert his fifth victory in Monmouth’s signature race and second in a row after last year’s score by Lookin At Lucky, who also raced in the colors of Mike Pegram and partners and was ridden by jockey Martin Garcia

With the victory in the 44^th running of the Haskell, Coil earned an automatic starting berth in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic that will be run on Nov. 5.

After a slight bobble at the break, Coil was far off the pace early, and entering the stretch turn was still last. But he made a monster move around the turn to reach contention nearing the quarter-pole, and then turned on the afterburners to run down a stubborn Shackleford, the Preakness winner and 3-2 favorite, at the wire for a neck score. 

Ruler On Ice, the Belmont Stakes winner, was third, two and a quarter lengths farther back, and a half-length in front of J J’s Lucky Train. They were followed to the wire by Pants on Fire, Joe Vann, Astrology and Concealed Identity.

Coil (by Point Given, who was Baffert’s first Haskell winner in 2001) raced the mile and an eighth in 1:48.20 to take down the winner’s prize of $600,000. It was his first score in a Grade 1 event, and gave him a record of four wins in six lifetime starts for the partnership of Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman. 

Sent off the second choice in the field of eight, Coil paid $8.40, $4.80 and $3.60 across the board and topped a $31.40 exacta with Shackleford, who returned $3.20 and $2.60. Ruler On Ice paid $4 to show.

Shackleford raced near the front from the start under Jesus Castanon and gained a clear lead once straightened into the stretch. The Forestry colt opened a daylight margin, but Coil was on him at the eighth pole. The two battled to the wire, with Shackleford tenacious in defeat.

Baffert said after the race that his heart sank when Coil came out at the back of the field.

“He didn’t break well, and at that point I thought the race was over,” the trainer said. “Down the backstretch, I thought he was going to have to be like his dad, Point Given, to win.

“In the stretch, when he was passing Shackleford, it was almost like I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Baffert said. “Martin (Garcia) knows this horse. He knows him better than I do.”

For his part, Garcia said it wasn’t in the game plan to be last for much of the race.

“He was ready at the break,” the jockey said, “but just before the gate opened, he stepped back a bit and that was that. I wasn’t planning on being that far back, but once that happened I didn’t have a choice. I took him off the fence going up the backstretch, because that didn’t seem to be the best place today.

“I was sitting on a ton of horse turning for home,” Garcia said. “When I got to Shackleford my horse kind of waited. He tends to do that when he makes the lead. I just kept getting into him. I knew I had Shackleford, but my horse made it interesting.”

Castanon, Shackleford’s rider, offered no excuses.

“I had a good trip,” he said. “He ran a good race like he always does. This is the way he likes to run. He was sitting in a perfect spot. I was pleased with his effort. He gave me his best. When the other horse came up to me, my horse felt him and was fighting back.”

Dale Romans, who trains Shackleford, said, “We got a great trip. He took the lead turning for home and dug in once Baffert’s horse came up. It looked like he was digging in very gamely in deep stretch. I thought he was going to come back and win it,” Romans said.

Trainer Kelly Breen, who saddled both Ruler On Ice and Pants On Fire for George and Lori Hall, said he will continue on the championship trail with his Belmont winner.

“It’s on to the Travers for Ruler On Ice,” Breen said. “Jose (jockey Valdivia Jr.) said he was good. They just kind of quickened going to the third quarter and it took him a while to get going.”

______________________
July 31, 2011
ROMACACA, YUMMY WITH BUTTER CAPTURE GRADE 3 TURF STAKES; FAST FREEZE JUST MISSES TRACK RECORD IN TEDDY DRONE VICTORY
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Frank Calabrese’s Romacaca looked powerful winning the $200,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes (G3), and Bruno Schickedanz’s Yummy With Butter turned the tables on an old rival in the $200,000 Oceanport Stakes (G3), the major events on the Haskell undercard at Monmouth Park Sunday.

Romacaca, trained by Nick Canani and ridden by E.T. Baird, tracked a quick pace set by Marquet Madness and then asserted herself in midstretch to open a daylight lead on her pursuers. The 5-year-old mare scored by a length and a quarter and stopped the timer in a very fast 1:46.54 for a mile and an eighth on firm turf, just a few ticks off the course record of 1:46.39.

Ravi’s Song was up for second, a neck in front of the fast-closing Perfect Shirl. C.S. Silk, the 5-2 favorite in the field of 10 fillies and mares, held the lead briefly, but faded to be last.

Romacaca paid $13.20, $5.80 and $4.40 for the victory and topped the $67.20 exacta with Ravi’s Song, who returned $4.80 and $3.80. Perfect Shirl was $4.60 to show.

This was the fifth straight victory for Romacaca, who took Monmouth’s Miss Liberty Stakes last out.

“She’s a super nice filly to have,” Canani said. “She raced great.”

Baird said, “She broke really well. There were some others in there who had speed, so I just let her come out running. She relaxed well enough to have something left in the end.”

Yummy With Butter and Sayif renewed their rivalry in the Oceanport, setting all the pace from gate to wire. In the Battlefield Stakes last time they met, Sayif held the lead to the wire, but this time Yummy With Butter went by in deep stretch to score by a length and a quarter. Sayif was second by a half-length over Baryshnikov, the 9-5 favorite in the field of seven.

Trained by Yvon Belsoeur and ridden by Paco Lopez, Yummy With Butter paid $20.20, $8.40 and $3.80 across the board and topped a $136 exacta after stepping the mile and a sixteenth of firm turf in 1:40 1/5. 

Sayif, off at 10-1, paid $10.40 and $5.40 and Baryshnikov paid $2.80 to show.

“I told Paco let’s not be late this time,” Belsoeur said. “Last time, we got caught by a horse on the lead that got away from us. We were just a little late.”

“We just couldn’t get to that horse (Sayif) last time,” Lopez said, “but that race was at a mile. Today there was extra distance. Turning for home, he was able to outkick the leader and get the job done.”

Yummy With Butter, a 7-year-old son of Silvador who races for Bruno Schickedanz, was scoring his first victory since 2009. The Ontario-bred has now won six of 31 lifetime starts.

“He was training like a Grade 1 horse,” Belsoeur said, and this was a Grade 3 race so I was pretty confident. We’ll look at the Cliff Hanger (Grade 3, Sept. 4).”

Force Freeze put on a show in the $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes as he took command in the stretch and scored by a length and a quarter in 1:07.77 for the six furlongs, just missing the track record.

Trained by Peter Walder, Force Freeze gave jockey Paco Lopez his fourth winner of the day in the Teddy Drone, which went as the 10^th race.

Force Freeze, making his U.S. debut for Saeed Naser al Romaithi after racing in Dubai, was overlooked in the wagering and paid $35, $11.80 and $7 across the board. He topped a $250 exacta with Jersey Town, who was up for second over Ravalo. Irrefutable, the 8-5 favorite, faded out of the money.

Jersey Town paid $5.40 and $3.80, and Ravalo returned $8.60 to show.

Irrefutable and Force Freeze set a torrid pace, with a quarter in :21 3/5 and a half-mile in :43 3/5. Force Freeze hit another gear in deep stretch to near the track record of 1:07.47 set by Idiot Proof in 2007.

“I’ve had the horse since the end of May,” Walder said. “We took our time with him. This horse has been working lights out. He exudes class”

Force Freeze, a 6-year-old by Forest Camp, was winning his seventh race in 19 career starts.

In the $100,000 Regret Stakes for fillies and mares, Magical Feeling closed with a dramatic rush to split horses in deep stretch for a head victory over Bronx City Girl.

The winner, trained by Allen Iwinski and ridden by Roberto Alvarado Jr., stopped the timer in 1:08 3/5 for the six furlongs and paid $17, $9.20 and $5.60 across the board as one of the outsiders in the field of eight.�

Bronx City Girl, who took the lead in deep stretch, held second and completed the $142.80 exacta, paying $10.20 and $5.80 to place and show. Love That Dance, who was in contention until fading near the wire, finished third and paid $6 to show. Hour Glass, the 2-1 favorite, was fourth.

This was the third straight victory and first stakes score for Magical Feeling, a 5-year-old daughter of Empire Maker who races for Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds. It was her ninth victory in 16 career starts.

“Robby gave her a great ride,” Iwinski said. “He got through all the holes. I’m so emotional talking about this filly. There’s nothing you can say about a horse that gives her all every single time.”

In the $100,000 Jersey Derby for 3-year-olds on the turf, Breathless Storm looked the part of the favorite as he stalked the early pace and then took command in midstretch, drawing off to win by nearly two lengths.

The son of Storm Cat, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and confidently ridden by Paco Lopez, stopped the timer in 1:41 flat for the mile and a sixteenth over a firm course and paid $4.60, $3 and $2.40 across the board as the 13-10 favorite in the field of eight.

Beachcombing rallied to be second, nearly three lengths in front of Moonhanger, who had set much of the pace. Beachcombing paid $3.80 and $3 and completed the $17.20 exacta. Moonhanger was $4 to show.

It was the second straight win over the Monmouth turf for Breathless Storm, and the first stakes victory for the Kentucky-bred, who has now won three of seven lifetime starts for owner Mrs. Fitriani Hay.

“I was close to the early lead,” Lopez said. “The pace was not that quick. He took the lead on his own and I didn’t really ask him until the 1/16^th pole. He was pretty impressive.”

Soaring Empire proved another prompt favorite in the $100,000 Majestic Light Stakes as he launched his bid from last rounding the far turn, and then wore down Kensei late to score by nearly a length.

Cam Gambolati trains Soaring Empire, an Empire Maker colt who finished second to Kensei in the Salvator Mile (G3) here last out. The winner paid $4, $2.40 and $2.10 as favorite in the field of six and topped the $10.80 exacta. 

Kensei, the second choice, paid $3.20 and $2.80 and Cactus Charlie, longest price on the board at 30-1, grabbed third to pay $4.

“I just think he’s really a good horse,” Gambolati said. “He’s really matured this year.”

This was the third win at Monmouth for Soaring Empire, who races for the partnership of Ol Memorial Stable & C.E. Glasscock.

The parade of favorites continued in the $100,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes as Quiet Giant came roaring down the stretch to score by nearly seven lengths as the 6-5 choice.

The Todd Pletcher trainee gave Leparoux a second stakes score on the day as she stepped the mile and a sixteenth in 1:41 2/5 and paid $4.40, $3.20 and $2.80 across the board.

Lacie Slew, a 9-1 chance, was up late for second by a neck over Debonair Darling and paid $7 and $5.40 to complete the $35.60 exacta. Debonair Darling paid $4 to show.

“She won really easy,” Leparoux said. “It was nice. I knew I was far in front because I was watching on the infield TV. That’s nice when you can do that.”

________________________

July 28, 2011
MONMOUTH PARK: NEW OWNER MORRIS BAILEY HAS BIG PLANS FOR NEW JERSEY RACING
By Mike Farrell, DRF

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Morris Bailey is in a hopeful mood these days.

He said he believes Concealed Identity, the gelding he owns in partnership with Linda Gaudet, can outrun his 12-1 morning line odds in the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

In the bigger picture, Bailey is sanguine about the prospects of reviving New Jersey racing, now that he is in final stages of a lease negotiation to take control of Monmouth from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.

“I love Monmouth,” Bailey said after the Haskell post position draw. “Aside from my interest in the track itself, it’s just a thrill to have a horse in the Haskell, one of the real treasures of racing.”

Most observers consider Monmouth the treasure of New Jersey racing. After decades of state management, Monmouth now returns to private hands.

For Bailey, a longtime horse owner, real estate developer, and co-owner of Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, the Haskell will be his first big event as the operator of Monmouth.

“The race is spectacular,” Bailey said. “It came up very strong. It should be a nice, exciting day for my whole family.”

Bailey hopes to bring more big days to Monmouth – and by extension the entire New Jersey racing industry.
“I would like to see the Haskell be a weekend event, instead of just the one day,” Bailey said. “We’re looking to bring it to another level.”

The immediate challenge, as Bailey sees it, is for the New Jersey racing industry to heal itself after a sometimes bruising transition from public to private hands.

One of the toughest fights was the racing schedule. After protracted negotiations, the horsemen agreed to reduce the racing schedule from 141 down to a minimum of 71 at Monmouth.

“It’s been an education for me,” Bailey said. “There were so many parties that looked at each other as adversarial. I wasn’t truly aware of all the issues. I think now, everyone in New Jersey is working together. We are a partnership. The state kept the governor’s objective of not subsidizing racing but they did help in a lot of ways to bring all the parties together. I believe the industry has to reinvent itself and I am going to take an active role in trying to get that done.”

It starts with the game itself, and Bailey considers himself a handicapper at heart.
“If I spend time on a race and bet a $20 exacta that wins, I feel like a genius,” Bailey said. “It’s a hobby and I love it.”

Bailey asserted one way to make racing more accessible is to introduce casino elements.  “I think I’m very fortunate to be able to market two assets, Resorts and Monmouth, together,” Bailey said. “I think they are very compatible in driving consumers both ways. We are looking at an integrated marketing campaign. We will be making physical improvements here at the track. It’s a three-year development deal, both here at the track, and in developing off-track wagering outlets.”

Among his ideas: more casino-style entertainment at Monmouth and new, simpler wagers.  “We want to make it like a video game, very easy to do,” Bailey said. On the key question of alternative gaming to support the state’s racetracks, Bailey carefully straddles the line as the operator of an Atlantic City casino and a racetrack.

“I strongly support Gov. Christie’s commitment to rebuild Atlantic City as a destination resort location,” Bailey said. “Therefore, I don’t believe in the immediate future we will have slots at the racetracks. That will have to develop over a period of time.”

_________________________

July 28, 2011
SHACKLEFORD 5-2 FAVORITE VS. 7 IN RESORTS CASINO HOTEL HASKELL INVITATIONAL SUNDAY; RULER ON ICE, PANTS ON FIRE, COIL MAIN FOES AT MONMOUTH

Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – The race to the 3-year-old championship gets off to a rousing start here on Sunday as Classic winners Shackleford and Ruler On Ice head a field of eight in the $1 million Resorts Casino Hotel Haskell Invitational (G1), traditional centerpiece of Monmouth Park’s summer meeting.

Shackleford, winner of the Preakness Stakes for trainer Dale Romans, drew Post 5 and was installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for this 44^th running of the mile and an eighth Haskell.

Ruler On Ice, the Monmouth-based runner who upset the Belmont Stakes, goes from Post 6 in the Haskell and is 4-1 co-third choice on the morning line. Stablemate Pants On Fire, also trained by Kelly Breen, goes from Post 3 and is also rated at 4-1 by Monmouth oddsmaker Brad Thomas.

In addition to the winner’s share of the purse, the Haskell victor also receives a free entry into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5.

With Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom out for the season, Shackleford and Ruler On Ice (a son of 2005 Haskell winner Roman Ruler) are the pro-tem co-leaders of the 3-year-old division. However, any of the other Haskell entrants could move into contention quickly with a victory here Sunday.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who has already won a record four runnings of the Haskell, including last year with 3-year-old champion Lookin At Lucky, will send out a lightly raced runner in Coil. The son of 2001 Haskell winner Point Given drew Post 1 and is the 3-1 second favorite on the line.

The complete field for this running of the Haskell, as drawn Thursday, consists of: Coil, Post 1, Martin Garcia, 3-1; Joe Vann, Post 2, Joe Bravo, 15-1; Pants On Fire, Post 3, Elvis Trujillo, 4-1; Concealed Identity, Post 4, Chris DeCarlo, 12-1; Shackleford, Post 5, Jesus Castanon, 5-2; Ruler On Ice, Post 6, Jose Valdivia Jr., 4-1; J J’s Lucky Train, Post 7, Paco Lopez, 20-1, and Astrology, Post 8, Julien Leparoux, 9-2.

Shackleford, whose style of racing on or near the lead seems ideal for Monmouth, is in the right spot for the Haskell, trainer Dale Romans said.

“That’s a perfect spot, right in the middle,” Romans said. “He’s been training great, and we’ll see what happens.”
The son of Forestry (who was third in the 1999 Haskell) led almost the whole way before tiring late to be fourth in the Kentucky Derby. In the Preakness, he battled for the lead throughout and had enough left to hold off Animal Kingdom by a half-length. In the Belmont Stakes, Shackleford set the pace for more than a mile before tiring to be fifth behind Ruler On Ice.

“We’re not going to take him back (in the Haskell),” Romans said. “If he’s on the lead, that’s fine; if he has to sit off the lead, that’s okay, too.

“He’s had a pretty grueling year, but he’s still holding his weight and still looks great. His last two works (at Churchill Downs) have been spectacular.”

Bob Baffert, who won last year’s Haskell from the rail with Lookin At Lucky, Martin Garcia aboard, was not totally thrilled with getting Post 1 again this year.

“He’s been down on the inside all year,” Baffert said, “I was hoping for something different.”
Coil has made only five starts in his life – all on synthetic tracks -- and was second by a head in the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park last out.

“We’ll find out a lot more about this horse in this race,” Baffert said. “He’s been getting better and better as he gets older, though. He worked over the dirt track at Santa Anita, and Garcia said he thought he went even better than over the synthetic.

“He’s been working really well at Del Mar,” the trainer said, “and we think he’ll run a big race.”
Kelly Breen will saddle both Ruler On Ice and Pants On Fire for George and Lori Hall, who live near the track in Rumson, N.J.

Ruler On Ice, a $100,000 yearling purchase, upped his career earnings to $766,500 with his Belmont win, and is finally living up to the potential Breen has always seen in him.

“I’m still on Cloud 9 from that race,” Breen said. “I always thought he was a topnotch horse, but he’s a test for any trainer. We added blinkers for the Belmont, and maybe that put him over the top.”

Pants On Fire, a homebred son of Jump Start, won the Pegasus Stakes here on June 18, his prep for the Haskell. He gets a new rider Sunday in Elvis Trujillo because his regular jockey, Rosie Napravnik is injured.

“Post 3 is a good spot for him,” Trujillo said, “because we can save ground. I won’t have to rush him out of there. We can just follow the speed.”

Steve Asmussen, who won the Haskell in 2009 with Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, said Astrology will have to step up a bit on Sunday.

“We need him to run the best race he’s ever run,” Asmussen said about his A.P. Indy colt, who was third in the Preakness, nearly two lengths behind Shackleford.

“I think the mile and an eighth of the Haskell is the ideal distance for him.”
Concealed Identity, who will ship up from Bowie, Md., on Sunday morning, is trained by Eddie Gaudet. His wife Linda, who co-owns the gelding in partnership with Morris Bailey, said she thought Post 4 was ideal.

“That’s pretty perfect,” she said.
Concealed Identity, by Smarty Jones, finished 10^th in the Preakness, but rebounded to run a sharp second behind Pants On Fire in the Pegasus Stakes.

“We hope the race over this track helps him,” Gaudet said. “We were very pleased with the way he ran at Monmouth.  
“But he has to step up his game this time,” she said. “We want him to sit off the speed and finish strong, like he did in the Pegasus.”

Chris DeCarlo, who rode Concealed Identity in the Pegasus, will be trying to win his second Haskell. His first came in 1986 when he was a17-year-old newcomer and guided Wise Times to an upset score.

Todd Pletcher, who won back-to-back editions of the Haskell in 2006-2007 with Bluegrass Cat and Any Given Saturday, will send out Illinois Derby winner Joe Vann, who will ship down from Saratoga for the race.

“He’s training well and coming up to the race in good shape,” Pletcher said.  
Joe Bravo, who rides Joe Vann for the first time, will be looking for his second Haskell win. His first came in 2004 aboard Lion Heart.

Monmouth-based J J's Lucky Train will be the longshot in the field, but trainer Bill Anderson is hoping “horses for courses” prevails Sunday. The son of Silver Train has won two of his three career starts here.

“He likes the Monmouth racetrack a lot,” Anderson said. “He’s a gutsy horse. He runs over anything.”
 

_______________
July 27, 2011
GUARANTEED POOLS HIGHLIGHT HASKELL DAY WAGERING MENU
Monmouth Park.com

A pair of guaranteed multi-race betting pools will highlight Resorts Casino Hotel Haskell Day as Monmouth Park will guarantee a $250,000 pool in the late Pick 4 (races 11-14) and a $100,000 pool in the Pick 5 (races 6-10).

Both the Pick 4 and Pick 5 are 50-cent base wagers.
The 44^th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts Casino Hotel Haskell Invitational will be carded as the 12^th of 14 live races.  Monmouth Park’s signature event will have a post time of 5:43 pm.

ABC will show the Haskell as part of their live broadcast from 5-6 pm.
_______________
July 25, 2011
WHO'S THE COWBOY RACING'S NEWEST MILLIONAIRE WITH WIN IN MONDAY FEATURE AT MONMOUTH PARK
Monmouth Park.com

Popular New Jersey-bred Who’s the Cowboy became racing’s newest millionaire after taking the $52,500 allowance/optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park on Monday.

With the winner’s share of the purse, Who’s the Cowboy has now earned $1,026,722.  The 9-year-old gelding by Intensity was bred by Carolyn Sleeter and is currently owned by Island Wind Racing and trained by Peter Walder.

Who’s the Cowboy sat patiently on the fence through the first six furlongs of Monday’s mile race.  Turning for home he was blocked behind a wall of horses, before angling out and coming home with a burst of speed to post a two-length win.� Who’s the Cowboy returned $7.80, $4.20 and $2.60.� Pasta Lover completed the $40.60 exacta and paid $4.40 to place and $3 to show.  Uncle Otto checked in third, good for a $2.80 show price.

From 66 lifetime starts, Who’s the Cowboy sports a record of 18-11-12, with 13 of those wins coming at Monmouth Park.  Under Paco Lopez, Who’s the Cowboy covered the mile over a fast main track in 1:38 flat.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, July 29 – gates open at 11:30 a.m., 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.

________________________

July 24, 2011
PINCH PIE SQUEEZES THROUGH ON RAIL TO TAKE DESERT VIXEN; SHE DIGS ME CRUISES HOME A WINNER IN $70,000 TYRO STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Dubb, Bethlehem and Elkstone Group’s Pinch Pie used a rail-skimming trip to capture the $70,000 Desert Vixen Stakes while She Digs Me scored in the $70,000 Tyro Stakes Sunday at Monmouth Park.

Reserved off an early pace of :24 1/5 and :49, Pinch Pie and jockey Jeremy Rose burst through on the rail around the far turn and cruised home a 1 ½ length winner over Oak Marsh.  It was another 1 ¾ lengths back to Glore Racer in third.

“I didn’t expect the pace to be quite that slow, but I was hoping I would be able to grind out a ground-saving trip,” Rose said.  “I was right on the heels of the six [Tomica’s Spirit] and when that one switched leads she came out just enough for me to squeeze through.”

Pinch Pie returned $5.80, $3.80 and $2.80 as the second choice in the field of eight 3-year-olds fillies.  The winning exacta with Oak Marsh, who paid $5.60 and $3.40, returned $33.80.  Glore Racer paid $7.20 to show.

With the win, Pinch Pie increased her career record to 3-1-1 from seven starts and bumped her earnings to $105,012.

The final time for the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf was 1:42 1/5.

In earlier stakes action, Kirk and Judy Robison’s She Digs Me captured the $70,000 Tyro Stakes in 1:03 4/5 over Gentlemans Code and Team Six.

The 2-year-old colt by Henny Hughes sat off the early pace of :22 2/5 and :45 3/5 set by Gentlemans Code with pressure from Team Six.  Turning for home, jockey Elvis Trujillo set the Steve Asmussen trainee loose, and the pair ran strongly to the wire.

The winning margin of victory was two lengths.  It was another 3 ½ lengths back to Team Six in third.

“There was a lot of speed in the race,” Trujillo said.  “The top two horses were going out pretty fast, so I just sat off of them.  He was strong all the way today.”

It was the second win in a row for She Digs Me who improved his career earnings to $88,670.

Live racing will return Monday at Monmouth Park as the track will run the 12-race card originally scheduled for Friday, July 22 that was postponed due to extreme heat.

_________________________
July 24, 2011
MONMOUTH PARK: HASKELL STABLEMATES PANTS ON FIRE, RULER ON ICE WORK BETWEEN RACES
By Marty McGee, DRF

Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice (left) with jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. in the saddle and Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire, with jockey Elvis Trujillo , work a half-mile Sunday in their final prep for next Sunday's Haskell.

Ruler On Ice and Pants On Fire went in lockstep in a half-mile workout between races Sunday at Monmouth Park, after which trainer Kelly Breen pronounced both 3-year-olds ready to go next Sunday in the $1 million Haskell Invitational.

Head-and-head throughout, the pair went in 47.60 seconds over a fast track in completing their main preparations for the Grade 1 Haskell. The colts were separated by a nose on the wire, with Pants On Fire and jockey Elvis Trujillo on the inside and Ruler On Ice and jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. on the outside.

“Absolutely perfect,” said Breen, who trains Ruler On Ice and Pants On Fire for owners George and Lori Hall. “I wanted them to go in just under 48. They’re both coming off wins and I just want to keep them sharp. They looked good coming back, both had lots of energy. They’ll gallop up to the race now.

Ruler On Ice won the June 11 Belmont Stakes in his last start, while Pants On Fire captured the June 18 Pegasus at Monmouth in his latest.

Earlier Sunday, Shackleford breezed a swift five furlongs in a solo workout at Churchill Downs when going in 58.60 seconds. Shackleford, the 2011 Preakness winner, is scheduled to arrive at Monmouth by van early Tuesday.

Other prospective starters for the 1 1/8-mile Haskell include Astrology, Coil, Concealed Identity, and JJ’s Lucky Train.

 Entries for the Haskell will be drawn Thursday. The race will be telecast on ABC on a one-hour broadcast from 5-6 p.m. Eastern.

__________________________
July 24, 2011
"FIRE" AND "ICE" WORK BETWEEN RACES AT MONMOUTH ON SUNDAY; BREEN DUO GOES FOUR FURLONGS IN :47 3/5
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trainer Kelly Breen had Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Ruler On Ice and Pegasus (G3) champ Pants On Fire on the track shortly after the fifth race on Sunday for a four-furlong work between the races as a prep for Sunday’s $1 million Resorts Casino & Hotel Haskell Invitational.

“Fire” and “Ice” began their works at the half-mile pole with Pants On Fire on the rail and Ruler On Ice glued to his outside the whole time.  The duo stepped the first quarter in :23 3/5 and hit the wire in :47 3/5.  A photo revealed Pants On Fire a nose in front at the finish line.

“Absolutely perfect,” Breen said.  “I wanted them to go just under :48.  They’re both coming off wins and I just want to keep them sharp.  They looked good coming back, both had lots of energy.  They’ll gallop up to the race now.  Just take it easy.”

Fire and Ice were welcomed back from their exercise by a thunderous applause from the crowd.

“We’re the hometown team,” Breen said.  “It’s nice to have so many people rooting for them.”

With jockeys Elvis Trujillo (Pants On Fire) and Jose Valdivia Jr. (Ruler On Ice) in the saddles, Fire and Ice seemed to impress their pilots.

“He went great,” Valdivia said.  “Ready to rock and roll.”

Trujillo was equally as pleased with his colt’s performance, “He went really well,” the rider said.  “Nice and easy.  Looks like he’s ready to go.”

Ruler On Ice enters the Resorts Casino & Hotel Haskell off a victory in the Belmont Stakes on June 11, while Pants On Fire, who finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby, will enter Sunday’s mile and one eighth Haskell off a victory in the Pegasus Stakes here on June 18.

Others expected for next Sunday’s Grade 1 Haskell include Preakness winner Shackleford, Astrology, Coil, Concealed Identity and J J’s Lucky Train.

___________________________
July 24, 2011
HASKELL FAVORITE SHACKLEFORD TURNS IN FAST FIVE-FURLONG WORKOUT
By Marty McGee, DRF

Shackleford, winning the Preakness in May, is scheduled to ship from Churchill Downs on Monday night for next Sunday's Haskelll Invitational at Monmouth Park.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Shackleford sharpened for his role as the likely favorite in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park by breezing five furlongs over a fast track in a swift 58.60 seconds on a hot, humid Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.

Shackleford, the 2011 Preakness winner, is scheduled to ship overnight Monday and arrive early Tuesday at Monmouth in Oceanport, N.J., where the annual meet highlight, the Grade 1 Haskell, will be run next Sunday, July 31.

With Tammy Fox aboard, Shackleford worked right after the regularly scheduled harrow break and without company, going in splits of 12.60 seconds, 23.60, 35.40, and 46.60, with a six-furlong gallop-out time of 1:13.40.

“He did it easy,” said Fox, life partner of the colt’s trainer, Dale Romans. “I didn’t move a muscle on him. It’s scary to think what he would’ve done with company. All I know is he’s ready to go.”

The Shackleford work came hours before the Kelly Breen duo of Ruler On Ice and Pants On Fire were scheduled to work a half-mile together shortly after the fifth race (post time, 2:50 p.m. Eastern) on the Sunday card at Monmouth. Jose Valdivia Jr. will be back aboard Ruler On Ice, the 2011 Belmont Stakes winner, while Elvis Trujillo will be up on Pants On Fire.

Other prospective starters for the 1 1/8-mile Haskell include Astrology, Coil, Concealed Identity, and JJ’s Lucky Train.

The speedy Shackleford will be turning back in distance in his first race since the Triple Crown series when he runs in the Haskell.

“He’s shown he can go longer, but you’d have to think a mile and an eighth is right up his alley,” Romans said Sunday morning from Saratoga. “From everything Tammy said, we’re all set.”

Shackleford, owned by Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge, now has three straight Sunday works at Churchill since getting a brief respite following the Belmont. The colt breezed a half-mile in 48.40 seconds on July 10 and five furlongs in a bullet 59.60 on July 17.

After working Shackleford, Fox also was aboard Sassy Image in a solo workout. The winner of three straight graded stakes and a leading candidate for top female sprinter, Sassy Image went a half-mile in 47.20. Her main goal this summer is the Grade 1 Ballerina on the Aug. 27 Travers undercard at Saratoga.

______________________________
July 23, 2011
'FIRE' AND 'ICE' TO WORK IN COMPANY BETWEEN RACES SUNDAY
Monmouth Park.com

The locally-based duo of Pants On Fire and Ruler On Ice, better known as ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ will have their final respective works for the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts Haskell between races on Sunday.
 

The pair will breeze a half-mile in company following Sunday’s fifth race, the Tyro Stakes.  Jockeys Elvis Trujillo (Pants On Fire) and Jose Valdivia Jr. (Ruler On Ice) will be aboard for the works.
    

“When we worked Pants On Fire between races [on Friday, June 10], even though he went a little faster than we expected, we were able to work over an ideally-conditioned racetrack,” trainer Kelly John Breen said.  “It was perfect racing conditions.  The amount of water of the track was almost identical to what it is on raceday.”    

Both Fire and Ice are owned by Rumson residents George and Lori Hall.

Pants On Fire is exiting a win in Monmouth Park’s Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes on Saturday, June 18.  Ruler On Ice hasn’t raced since upsetting the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes.

______________________________
July 23, 2011
HEAT WAVE FORCES MONMOUTH TO CANCEL SATURDAY RACING
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Monmouth Park Racetrack has canceled its live race card for Saturday, July 23, due to the extreme heat that continues to plague the East Coast.

“Unfortunately the heat hasn’t broken,” said Robert Kulina, vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park.  “While we remained hopeful that we would be able to continue racing today, the extreme heat simply made that impossible.  Luckily, the forecast is for the heat to begin to subside sometime this evening.”

Saturday’s canceled card will be rescheduled for sometime later in the season.  The 2011 Monmouth Park meet runs through Sunday, Nov. 5.

Live racing is scheduled to resume at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 24, with a 12-race card.  The facility will remain open on Saturday for simulcasting from across the country, including the full cards from Saratoga (1 p.m. post) and Del Mar (5 p.m. post).

______________________________
July 22, 2011
OCEANPORT, MATCHMAKER TOP HASKELL UNDERCARD EVENTS
Monmouth Park.com

While the spotlight on July 31 falls squarely on the 44^th running of the $1million Resorts Haskell Invitational (G1), Monmouth will offer seven other stakes on the 14-race card. 

Topping the Haskell undercard events are two Grade 3 turf tests, the $200,000 Oceanport at a mile and a sixteenth, and the $200,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker for fillies and mares at nine furlongs. 

Get Serious, winner of last year’s Oceanport, is ready to try for a repeat, and Violon Sacre, beaten a neck that day, is expected to be on hand for a return match. 

Last year’s winner of the Taylor Made Matchmaker, Unbridled Essence, is likely to be back to defend her title. The Gregg Sacco-trained mare was a 41-1 surprise package in 2010, but is a known quantity this year after coming up just a nose short in the Grade 3 Violet here on May 30. 

The Matchmaker offers a unique prize to the first three finishers – a free season to one of three Taylor Made stallions. The stallions this year are Forestry, Northern Afleet and Wildcat Heir. 

The other five stakes to be contested on Haskell Day all carry purses of $100,000. They include the Jersey Derby on turf for 3-year-olds; the Majestic Light for older horses and the Lady’s Secret for fillies and mares both at a mile and a sixteenth, and the Teddy Drone for older horses and the Regret for fillies and mares at six furlongs. 

______________________________
July 22, 2011
ALICE CARTWRIGHT EXPECTED TO RESUME RIDING NEXT WEEKEND
Monmouth Park.com

Apprentice rider Alice Cartwright, injured in a spill before the fourth race last Saturday, is expected to be back riding on July 29, her agent, Joe Orseno Jr.,  said Friday. 

Cartwright suffered a laceration of the right hand in the mishap, but tests showed no fractures of the hand, and only limited soft tissue injury. 

Orseno said she will take this week off and resume riding next weekend. 

______________________________
July 21, 2011
EXTREME TEMPERATURES FORCE MONMOUTH TO RESCHEDULE; FRIDAY CARD WILL BE RUN MONDAY, JULY 25
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth Park Racetrack has rescheduled its live racing program from Friday, July 22 to Monday, July 25 due to Friday’s expected excessive heat and extreme humidity.

“Our main concern is for the safety of our horses and jockeys,” said Robert Kulina, vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park.  “With temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees combined with high humidity, we had no choice but to reschedule the program to Monday.”

Friday’s card will not be redrawn – all races will simply be moved to Monday.

Live racing is scheduled to resume at Monmouth Park on Saturday, July 23, with a 12-race card.  The facility will remain open on Friday for simulcasting from across the country, including the opening day card from Saratoga.  First race post time for the Spa is 1 pm.

______________________________
July 20, 2011
ABC TO BROADCAST RESORTS HASKELL FROM 5 TO 6 P.M.
Monmouth Park.com

For the second year in a row, the $1 million Resorts Haskell Invitational will be broadcast nationally as Monmouth Park’s signature race is featured on ABC from 5 to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 31. 

This year’s 44^th renewal of the Resorts Haskell is expected to feature a showdown between Preakness winner Shackleford and Belmont Stakes victor Ruler on Ice.  Others expected for the mile and one eighth contest are Pants on Fire, Astrology, Concealed Identity, J J’s Lucky Train and Coil. 

“It’s only fitting that a race as good as this year’s Haskell is shaping up to be is broadcast to a national audience,” said Bill Knauf, assistant vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park.  “We’re pleased that so many people will not only see a great race, but also get a taste of historic Monmouth Park.” 

The Resorts Haskell Invitational, restricted to 3-year-old horses, was inaugurated in 1968 and has seen more than two-dozen champions compete in the event.  Over the past four runnings, the Haskell has produced five year-end champions:  Curlin, Big Brown, Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird and Lookin at Lucky. 

The Resorts Haskell is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race.  The Haskell winner will get an automatic berth into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5. 

________________________

July 17, 2011
LIL KIARA RALLIES TO CAPTURE SPRUCE FIR HANDICAP
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Smith and Ko-Ko-Mo Stable’s Lil Kiara sat in perfect position early before gaining command in mid-stretch and holding on for a half-length win over Little Stitch in Sunday’s Spruce Fir Handicap at Monmouth Park.

The final time for the one mile and 70 yards over a fast main track was 1:42 3/5.

A 4-year-old daughter of Lion Hearted out of the Baederwood mare Lil Magic Twig, Lil Kiara returned $6, $3.80 and $2.60.  Little Stitch, who raced right up on the early pace of :23 1/5 and :48 1/5, held on gamely for second and paid $8.60 and $5.20.  The winning exacta returned $31.60 in the field of seven fillies and mares.  Third-place finisher Ms Glory Be returned $3.

“Marquez [jockey Carlos H.] knows this horse very well,” said winning trainer Cathal Lynch.  “I was a little worried when she was up close early, but then he got her to settle down.  It all worked according to plan.  We sat just off the speed and when he called on her she came with her run.”

With the win, Lil Kiara improved her career record to 4-3-4 from 16 lifetime starts.  The winner’s share of the $65,000 purse bumped her lifetime earnings to $246,445.

Live racing will return to Monmouth Park on Friday, July 22.  As always, the facility will remain open for simulcasting from around the world seven days a week.

________________________

July 17, 2011
"FIRE" AND "ICE" SET TO RUN IN JULY 31 RESORTS HASKELL; TRAINER BREEN HAS RULER ON ICE, PANTS ON FIRE FOR NJ'S TOP RACE
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trainer Kelly John Breen confirmed classic winner Ruler On Ice and multiple graded stakes victor Pants On Fire will make their next starts in the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 31.

“Fire” and “Ice”, as they’re known, stepped on the Monmouth track just after 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning, with Pants On Fire working four furlongs in :49 4/5.  Shortly thereafter, Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice was caught in 1:02 3/5 for five furlongs over the fast main track.

“They both went perfectly,” said Breen, the 42-year-old resident of Farmingdale, N.J.  “Nice, easy works this morning – just what we were looking for.”

Owned by George and Lori Hall of Rumson, N.J., Fire and Ice enter the Resorts Haskell off victories – Ruler on Ice, the son of 2005 Haskell winner Roman Ruler, captured the Belmont Stakes on June 11, while Pants on Fire took the Grade 3 Pegasus here on June 18.

With Pants On Fire’s regular pilot Rosie Napravnik on the sidelines with an injury, Breen has found himself a new rider and one that is no stranger to the Monmouth Park winner’s circle.

“Elvis (Trujillo) will be aboard Pants On Fire,” the trainer said.  “Valdivia (jockey Jose) rides Ruler On Ice.  All systems are go for us.”

With 49 victories thus far, Trujillo leads all riders at the current Monmouth Park meet.  He was top rider here in 2009.

Combined, Fire and Ice will be the second and third Haskell starters for Breen, who in 2006 finished second with Praying for Cash.

In addition to the Breen-duo, the Resorts Haskell is expected to draw Preakness winner Shackleford, Rattlesnake Bridge, Astrology, J J’s Lucky Train, Concealed Identity and either Coil or Prayer for Relief.

The Haskell has produced five year-end champions and a pair of Horse of the Year winners over the past four runnings:  Curlin, Big Brown, Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird and Lookin at Lucky.

As for the Fire and Ice party, the Halls are pulling out all the stops to celebrate their horses running in North America’s richest invitational horse race.  Henry Sullivan, who’s married to George Hall’s sister, has been placed in charge of the Fire and Ice festivities.

“This is a party that’s all about Monmouth Park and getting people excited,” said Sullivan, who also lives in Rumson.  “We want to showcase the facility.  It truly is the Jewel of the Jersey Shore and we’re going to bring in as many people as possible to enjoy this great racetrack and a great race.”

The Fire and Ice party, which will include more than 200 of the Hall’s closest family and friends, will spread throughout Monmouth Park.  In addition to a throng of supporters stretching from the picnic area to the Parterres, the celebration will include a special tent adjacent to the walking ring to accommodate the Fire and Ice festival.

_______________________

July 16, 2011
MISS VALENTINE IMPRESSES WITH SERENA'S SONG STAKES SCORE
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Waterville Lake Stable’s Miss Valentine gained command after turning for home and drew off to a three-length score in the $75,000 Serena’s Song Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Miss Valentine sat mid-pack early before making her move nearing the far turn.  She overpowered pacesetter Coco Ecolo just before the eighth-pole and finished up strong to pay $6.40, $2.60 and $2.60 as the favorite in the field of seven 3-year-old fillies.  Withgreatpleasure rallied to complete the $32 exacta and paid $4.20 and $2.80.  It was another length and a quarter back to Coco Ecolo, who returned $2.40 to show.

“I have to give all the credit to Christophe Clement,” said winning jockey Joe Bravo.  “He did a great job with this filly.  He told me just to get her to relax early since she was stretching out to two turns for the first time in a while.  There was a good honest pace, but this is a stakes race.  Everyone is here to win.”

The Serena’s Song was the third win in seven starts for Miss Valentine, a daughter of Afleet Alex from the Gilded Time mare Miss Yiayia.  She has now banked $154,800 for her connections.

_________________________

July 16, 2011
J J'S LUCKY TRAIN ON TRACK FOR JULY 31 RESORTS HASKELL
Monmouth Park.com

J J’s Lucky Train, a former claimer turned graded stakes winner, is set to give trainer Bill Anderson his first Resorts Haskell Invitational starter when the colt goes in the July 31 Grade 1 event at Monmouth Park.  In fact, it will be one year to the day when Anderson and Fresh Start Stable plunked down $40,000 (plus sales tax) to claim the son of Silver Train out of his debut.

“Obviously he’s turned out to be a good buy,” Anderson said.  “Right after we got him, I worked him on the turf and that almost turned out to be disastrous.  The dogs were out pretty far and he jumped one of them and almost tossed his rider.  Luckily nothing serious happened.”

Lucky indeed for his connections.  J J’s Lucky Train went on to win at Monmouth, Philly Park, Laurel and then took the Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct on April 9 – his last visit to the winner’s circle.

Since the Bay Shore score, J J was third in the Derby Trial (G3) at Churchill Downs and most recently second in the Woody Stephens (G2) at Belmont on June 11.

“He’s a very nice horse,” Anderson said.  “His mother was a stakes winner on turf and I always thought he’d be a nice turf horse, but after that one work on turf I was reluctant.”

That reluctance ended last Wednesday when Anderson shipped J J from his Parx headquarters in Bensalem, Pa., to Monmouth for a spin around the grass course.  He went the five furlongs in 1:03 4/5 with the dogs up.

“It was a real good work for him,” Anderson said.  “We’ll probably ship him over here on Monday and he’ll likely work again on the turf Wednesday.  He’ll train up to the race at Monmouth.”

From 10 lifetime starts, J J’s Lucky Train sports a record of 5-3-1 and earnings of $329,214.  He will have Paco Lopez, leading rider last year at Monmouth, in the irons for the mile and an eighth Resorts Haskell.

________________________

July 15, 2011
SUPER ROBUSTO TAKES FRIDAY FEATURE AT MONMOUTH; CAFFE D'ORO SETS RECORD OF 54.57 FOR 5 FURLONGS ON TURF
Monmouth Park.com

Talons Racing’s Super Robusto held off the oncoming Todd Got Even to capture the $54,000 allowance/optional claiming by a nose at Monmouth Park on Friday afternoon.

Trained by Edward J. Colletti Sr. and ridden by Angel Serpa, Super Robusto went the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 and paid $18.40, $7 and $4.60.  Todd Got Even completed the $153.40 exacta and returned $9 to place and $4.40 to show.  It was another 5 ¼ lengths back to Mannington, who paid $3 to show.

Friday’s victory marked the first win in three starts this year for Super Robusto, a 5-year-old gelding by Smoke Glacken from the Touch Gold mare Stylish Manner.

One race earlier on the card, Delores Wagner’s Caffe D’Oro broke on top and never looked back, covering five furlongs over firm turf in :54.57, a new course record.  A 5-year-old gelding by Medaglia d’Oro, Caffe D’Oro returned $7.40 to win in the $50,000 allowance contest.

Trained by Juan Serey and ridden by Navin Mangalee, Caffe D’Oro bested the record of Perfect Officer, who as a 3-year-old stepped the five furlongs, with the portable rail out 36 feet, in :54.77 on July 17, 2009.

_______________________

July 15, 2011
RESORTS CASINO HOTEL TO SPONSOR 44TH RUNNING OF THE $1 MILLION HASKELL INVITATIONAL
Monmouth Park.com

The all new Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City announced today it will sponsor this year’s running of the $1 million Resorts Haskell Invitational. 

The 44^th running of the Grade 1 Haskell, which has been won by champions Lookin at Lucky, Rachel Alexandra and Big Brown the past three years, is the centerpiece of Monmouth’s biggest day of the year on Sunday, July 31. 

“The Haskell is one of horse racing’s most prestigious events, and we are excited to have the new Resorts as the host sponsor,” said Resorts Owner, President & C.E.O. Dennis C. Gomes. “It’s a natural fit to have two of New Jersey’s premier gaming and entertainment destinations combine for what is sure to be one of the most exciting races of the year.” 

Gomes and New York real estate developer Morris Bailey purchased Resorts last year with plans to revitalize the property. Bailey recently concluded negotiations to lease Monmouth Park from the New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority. 

“Monmouth is honored to attach the Resorts name to our greatest race,” said Bob Kulina, vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park. “With five champions having run in the last four editions, the Haskell has become a key stepping stone on the path to year-end Eclipse honors.” 

About Resorts Casino Hotel 

Resorts Casino Hotel is now under the ownership of DGMB Casino LLC, a New Jersey Corporation and has themed the property to embrace its rich history with a 1920’s feel.  From the flappers on the floor to the art deco design, Resorts is proud to re-emerge as one of the premier properties in Atlantic City.  Located on the beach and Boardwalk, Resorts features action-packed gaming with the latest slots and hottest tables, nearly 1,000 rooms, seven restaurants, two nightclubs, two lounges, a full-service salon and spa, health club and pool, the brand new Asian gaming room featuring a noodle bar, dim sum, Chinese barbeque, Chinese bakery and specialty tea room, East Wind Casino and more! Resorts recently announced the debut of the new Event Pavilion which will be home to three circuses throughout the summer and additional headline entertainment.  For more information visit www.resortsac.com.  

About Monmouth Park 
Just one mile from the Atlantic Ocean in scenic Oceanport, N.J., Monmouth Park is one of the nation’s premier Thoroughbred racetracks.  Opened in 1946, Monmouth Park has been a fixture for pari-mutuel wagering in the Garden State and more recently a family-friendly destination for locals and Shore-goers alike.  With sprawling, picturesque grounds and a stabling area that houses 1,600 horses, Monmouth Park is home to the $1 million Resorts Haskell Invitational, the richest invitational horse race in North America.  For more information visit www.monmouthpark.com. 

________________________

July 15, 2011
SHACKLEFORD, RATTLESNAKE BRIDGE AWAIT HASKELL INVITATIONAL
Monmouth Park.com

The field for Monmouth Park’s centerpiece event – the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) on Sunday, July 31 – is starting to take shape, director of racing Mike Dempsey says, with a field of eight likely to make the gate. 

The latest addition to the field for the mile and an eighth Haskell is Mill House Farm’s Rattlesnake Bridge, who won the Long Branch Stakes here last Saturday for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The Tapit colt overcame a near-disastrous start to get up for a nose score over All of the Above. 

Dempsey said that trainer Dale Romans will try the Haskell with Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford, who has been training in Kentucky. 

Bob Baffert, who won his fourth Haskell with Lookin at Lucky last year, is expected to send either Coil (a son of Haskell winner Point Given) or Iowa Derby winner Prayer for Relief. 

Others expected to contest this 44^th running of the Haskell include Concealed Identity, the Eddie Gaudet-trained son of Smarty Jones who finished second to Pants on Fire in the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes here; the Steve Asmussen-trained Astrology, a Grade 3 winner who was third in the Preakness, and J J’s Lucky Train, who broke his maiden here last year for trainer Bill Anderson and most recently was second in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont. 

George and Lori Hall have two Haskell candidates in Ruler on Ice, winner of the Belmont Stakes last out, and Pants on Fire, winner of the Pegasus on June 18. 

Trainer Kelly Breen said he plans to breeze both colts this Sunday, and a decision will be made after that on plans for the 3-year-olds. 

“They’ll both breeze either a half-mile or five-eighths Sunday,” Breen said, “and then we’ll know more about who’s running where. We’re still deciding. We still don’t have a rider for Pants on Fire, another decision we have to make.” 

Rosie Napravnik, who rode Pants on Fire to wins in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and the Pegasus, is sidelined indefinitely after suffering a broken arm last week in a spill which required two surgeries to repair the damage. 

_____________________

July 15, 2011
JAPANESE JOCKEY HIROKI GOTO ON HAND FOR THE SUMMER
Monmouth Park.com

Hiroki Goto, one of the leading riders in Japan, will make Monmouth Park his base of operations for the next 60 days, riding mainly for trainer Wesley Ward.

Goto, 37, arrived at Monmouth Thursday, but does not have a mount here this weekend. He is riding Ward-trained horses in three races at Woodbine on Saturday, and in two races at Arlington Park on Sunday.

Goto, who was the leading jockey by wins in Japan in 2007, has ridden more than 1,300 career winners and took this year’s running of the Japan Oaks. He will be represented by agent Bob Klesaris during his stay here.

This will be Goto’s second stint in the United States. He spent a season riding here 15 years ago, racing at Calder, Philadelphia and Delaware.

“I learned a new style of riding, a different style,” Goto said, “and I enjoyed it. I always knew I wanted to come back. I met Wesley when he came to Japan several years ago. When I wanted to reacquaint myself with American racing, Wesley gave me the chance.”

Goto, easily spotted because of the bright orange boots he favors, will ride Ward-trained horses at tracks around the country, including Monmouth, before he goes home for the major fall racing in Japan. Racing in Japan is very lucrative, with enormous purses for most races, but Goto says he’s happy to be back in the U.S.

“There’s big money in Japan,” he said, “but in the U.S., there are big dreams.”

________________________

July 10, 2011
MAPLE FOREST IMPRESSIVE WINNER OF DEARLY PRECIOUS STAKES; PERFECT OFFICER WEARS DOWN VARSITY IN WOLF HILL
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Blue Heaven Farm’s Maple Forest stormed down the homestretch to post a length and a quarter victory in the $75,000 Dearly Precious Stakes as Perfect Officer wore down Varsity to take the $65,000 Wolf Hill Stakes by a neck on Sunday at Monmouth Park. 

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Maple Forest covered the six furlongs over the fast main track in 1:09 1/5 and returned $5.40, $3.20 and $2.60 as the favorite in the field of six 3-year-old fillies.  Moonlit Malibu completed the $22.60 exacta and paid $5.60 and $3.  It was another length and a quarter back to Bold Affair, who paid $2.60 to show. 

“The race went fast, finishing in 1:09 and one,” said winning jockey Joe Bravo.  “This filly did it handily.  She did it easily and could have a bright future.” 

A daughter of Forestry from the American Chance mare Maple Syrple, Maple Forest sports a record of 3-3-0 from eight starts and earnings of $152,566. 

A Michael Pino-trainee, Perfect Officer stepped the 5 ½ furlongs over good turf in 1:01 4/5 and returned $6.60, $2.80 and $2.60 in the Wolf Hill.  Varsity rounded out the $17.80 exacta and paid $3 and $2.80.  It was another two and three-quarter lengths back to Ju Jitsu Jax, who paid $6 to show. 

“The plan wasn’t to be that far back,” said winning jockey Kendrick Carmouche.  “Once I was able to get him to the outside in the stretch I knew I was the winner because he has a pretty good kick.” 

Sunday’s stakes score was the seventh in 23 starts for Perfect Officer, a 5-year-old gelding by Officer from the Perfect Vision mare Perfect Tradition.  He has earned $253,281. 

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, July 15 – gates open 11:30 a.m., 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. 

___________________

July 9, 2011
RATTLESNAKE BRIDGE UP IN TIME TO TAKE LONG BRANCH, GIVES MCLAUGHLIN A RECORD 4TH WIN; SAYIF GOES WIRE-TO-WIRE IN BATTLEFIELD

Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Mill House LLC’s Rattlesnake Bridge came with a furious stretch rally to wear down All of the Above by a nose in the $150,000 Long Branch Stakes, giving trainer Kiaran McLaughlin a record-tying fourth winner on the Saturday card at Monmouth Park.   

Rattlesnake Bridge, the $2.20-1 favorite in the field of eight 3-year-old colts and geldings, waited until the three-eighths pole before moving widest for the drive.  The son of Tapit, under Eddie Castro, covered the mile and sixteenth over the fast main track in 1:41 3/5 and paid $4.40, $3 and $2.80.  All of the Above rounded out the $27.40 exacta and paid $6.20 and $4.60.  It was another length and three-quarters back to Little Drama, who paid $4.60 to show. 

“It was a great performance,” said McLaughlin.  “He stumbled a little coming out of the gate, and I actually thought he’d be a little further back with them going :22 3/5 for the first quarter.” 

As for a return trip in three weeks for the $1 million Haskell Invitational, “We’ll talk it over, but we’d love to come back for the Haskell.” 

Making just his fifth career start, Rattlesnake Bridge scored his second victory by taking the Long Branch.  The winner’s share of $90,000 moved his lifetime bankroll to $153,200. 

In addition to earning an invite to the $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 31, Rattlesnake Bridge gave Kiaran McLaughlin his fourth victory on the card, tying four other conditioners that have accomplished the feat.  McLaughlin’s four-bagger started in the first race with Oflee Wicked ($13.40), then in the third with Call First ($10.60) and the eighth with Distant Sky ($7.20).  He joins J. Willard Thompson, Robert Klesaris, John Forbes and Bruce Alexander in winning four races on a single Monmouth Park card. 

“We love Monmouth Park,” McLaughlin said.  “We love the Shore and Monmouth Park has always been a favorite.  To win four races in one day is great.” 

Earlier in the day, Saleh Y. Al-Homaizi’s Sayif took his five foes wire-to-wire in the $75,000 Battlefield Stakes. 

Trained by Patrick Biancone, Sayif stepped the mile over a “yielding” turf in 1:34 2/5 and returned $28.40, $12.20 and $4.80.  It was a length back to Yummy with Butter, who completed the $209.40 exacta and paid $8.80 and $4.20.  Monument Hill was another two lengths back in third, good for a $3 show mutuel. 

“He’s an incredibly nice horse,” said winning jockey Channing Hill.  “I’ve been breezing him and he’s been breezing really well.  When we got to the eighth pole, I knew we were home because if someone was going to run us down, they were really going to have to be moving.”

The Battlefield win was the third in 19 starts for the Irish-bred Sayif, a 5-year-old colt by Kheleyf from the Rudimentary mare Sewards Folly.  He has now earned $344,931. 

____________________

July 9, 2011
BELLE WATLING UNDERGOES MYECTOMY SURGERY AFTER UNITED NATIONS
Monmouth Park.com

Belle Watling, the Chilean-bred mare who is still looking for her first North American victory since building a winning reputation in her homeland, underwent myectomy surgery after she ran ninth in the United Nations Stakes (G1) at Monmouth on July 2. 

Trainer Patrick Biancone said the 5-year-old daughter of Dushyantor underwent the surgery Wednesday (July 6). 
“The jockey said she could not breathe,” Biancone said, “so we tried the surgery.”  In a myectomy, the veterinarian cuts the two strap muscles in a horse’s throat to change the position of the larynx in the airway. It is meant to stop a horse from flipping its palate, which restricts the flow of air. 

Belle Watling won 13 of 16 starts in Chile – including the last 10 in a row – before she was brought to the United States last fall. She has made five starts in the U.S., with her best stakes efforts a pair of fourths in the The Very One (G3) at Gulfstream in February and the Sheepshead Bay (G2) at Belmont in May. 

The mare could start in the $200,000 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes (G3) here on July 31 if all goes well.

_________________
July 7, 2011
MOLLY PITCHER GETS HILL 'N' DALE SPONSORSHIP, STALLION SEASONS
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms has teamed with Monmouth Park to sponsor the Jersey Shore’s biggest race for fillies and mares, the Grade 2, $250,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes.

The Hill ‘n’ Dale Molly Pitcher will be renewed for the 66^th time on Sunday, Aug. 28, and will for the first time feature stallion seasons for the top three finishers.  This year’s stallions are Roman Ruler, Midnight Lute and Zensational.

“Hill ‘n’ Dale is proud to enhance the Molly Pitcher with seasons to our stallions,” said John Sikura, president of Hill ‘n’ Dale.  “This race is an important fixture on the American racing calendar and we want to do our part to help promote great racing at Monmouth Park.”

Roman Ruler, the 2005 Haskell Invitational winner, stands for $15,000.  A son of Fusaichi Pegasus, Roman Ruler, who is currently third on the third crop sires list, is the sire of 2011 Belmont Stakes winner Ruler on Ice.

Midnight Lute ($17,500) is a two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, including the 2007 edition at Monmouth Park.  His first crop of horses are currently yearlings.

Zensational ($22,500) is the only horse to win three consecutive Grade 1 sprint races.  The son of Unbridled’s Song entered stud in 2010.

Twelve American champions and three Hall of Fame members have contested the Hill ‘n’ Dale Molly Pitcher, a traditional feature at Monmouth Park since the racetrack reopened in 1946.  In addition, six Breeders’ Cup winners have participated in the race.

The Hill ‘n’ Dale Molly Pitcher has also seen many of its winners go on to be top broodmares, including the dams of champions Bold Lad, Gulch and My Flag.

Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms has 1,300 acres in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.  In addition to standing some of the industry’s top stallions, Hill ‘n’ Dale operates one of North America’s most successful sales agencies and is home to many elite race mares, including Silverbulletday, Madcap Escapade, Indian Blessing and others.  

____________________

July 4, 2011
Roaring Lion Bests Sean Avery in Mr. Prospector; Freud's Honor Goes Wire-to-Wire in Choice Stakes
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Repole Stable’s Roaring Lion defended his title by once again taking the $75,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes as Freud’s Honor went wire-to-wire in the $70,000 Choice Stakes on the Fourth of July holiday card at Monmouth Park. 

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Roaring Lion sat just off the early pace before moving to the lead around the quarter pole.  He covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:08 4/5 and returned $13.20, $3.40 and $2.60.  It was 2 ¾ lengths back to odds-on favorite Sean Avery, who paid $2.20 and $2.10 and completed the $30.40 exacta.  It was another 3 ¾ lengths back to Fabulous Strike, who returned $2.80 to show. 

“Those were the instructions, to sit and pounce,” said winning rider Mike Luzzi.  “There was plenty of speed in front of me and it set up perfectly.  Down the backside I had Sean Avery to my inside and I was loaded for bear.  I asked him to run in the stretch and he still had plenty.” 

Last year, Roaring Lion captured the Mr. Prospector in 1:09 flat.  It was the third consecutive year that Repole Stable captured the Mr. Prospector, having won it in 2009 with Go Go Shoot. 

A 7-year-old gelding by Lion Hearted from the Horatius mare Smartly, Roaring Lion sports a record of 12-4-6 from 31 starts.  He has earned $538,536 for his connections. 

In the Choice Stakes, Freud’s Honor stepped the mile and an eighth over a “good” turf course in 1:49 2/5 and paid $38.20, $11.40 and $5.60.  It was a length and a half back to Beachcombing, the 2-1 favorite in the field of eight 3-year-old colts and geldings, who completed the $131.40 exacta and paid $3.80 and $2.80.  It was another half-length back to Crossed the Line, who returned $2.80 to show. 

“He’s given us every indication that he’d love the grass,” said winning trainer Gregg Sacco.  “The question mark was the two turns and he answered that with flying colors.  He’s put together several nice races now.  We’ll look to the Jersey Derby (July 31 at Monmouth) or perhaps a New York-bred stakes.  We’ll be sticking to the grass, that’s for sure.” 

A son of Freud from the Honor and Glory mare Act of Glory, Freud’s Honor boosted his lifetime bankroll to $135,750 with a record of 3-2-1 from seven starts. 

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, July 8 – gates open at 11:30 a.m., 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. 
 

_____________________

July 3, 2011

Flashpoint Crushes Rivals in Jersey Shore Stakes; Romacaca Wins Fourth Straight By Taking Miss Liberty

Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – The trio of Zero Rate Policy, Flashpoint and Chipshot battled through quick fractions of :21 3/5 for the quarter and :44 2/5 for the half mile before Peachtree Stable’s Flashpoint assumed command and drew off in the lane to capture the $150,000 Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday by seven lengths. 

A striking gray colt by Pomeroy, Flashpoint stopped the timer in 1:08 3/5 for six furlongs over the muddy main track.  The winner returned $3.60 and $3.20 and topped a $9.80 exacta.  C J Russell, who sat off the early pacesetters, rallied to pay $3.20 to place.  Chipshot finished third with Zero Rate Policy checking in fourth and last in the field of 3-year-olds that scratched down to a quartet. 

“He broke sharp and was moving comfortably,” said winning jockey Cornelio Velasquez, who has been aboard in all five of the colt’s starts.  “He had a ton of horse the whole way and was loaded with run when I called on him.  He loves these distances, six and seven furlongs.  He’s great at them.” 

Trained by Wesley Ward, the Grade 3 Jersey Shore was Flashpoint’s first start since running in the Preakness Stakes on May 21.  The $90,000 winner’s share of the purse boosted his lifetime bankroll to $255,200. 

In the $75,000 Miss Liberty Stakes, Romacaca gained the lead nearing the top of the strait and held off the late charge of Champagnelifestyle to post a half-length win. 

Romacaca stepped the mile and a sixteenth over a turf course rated “soft” in 1:42 1/5 and paid $8.60, $4.20 and $3.20.  Champagnelifestyle rounded out the $70.40 exacta and returned $6.40 and $3.80.  It was nearly another length back to post-time favorite Gypsy’s Warning, who paid $2.80 to show. 

“The speed was going pretty quick up front so I just tried to keep her relaxed,” said winning jockey Paco Lopez.  “As soon as we got a hole, she was ready to run through and she did it so easily.  After that, she just kept rolling.” 

Trained by Nick Canani, Romacaca has won her last four and now sports a lifetime mark of 11-4-2- from 22 starts.  The 5-year-old mare by Running Stag has earned $478,092. 

Monmouth will host a special Fourth of July 12-race card on Monday – gates open at 11:30 a.m., first post 12:50 p.m.

_____________________

July 2, 2011

Teaks North Rallies to Grade 1 U.N. Win; Chinchon 2nd, Stacelita 3rd; Kensei, $32.40 Upset Winner of Grade 3 Salvator Mile

Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Julia C. Boutelle’s Teaks North unleashed a strong stretch kick to post a half-length victory over Chinchon in the Grade 1 $750,000 United Nations Stakes as Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Kensei posted a three-quarter length win in the Grade 3 $200,000 Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park on Saturday before a crowd of 12,612. 

Teaks North was bottled up inside behind pacesetter Pulsion early in the mile and three-eighths turf race.  He angled out for the stretch drive and held off the late charge of last year’s U.N. winner Chinchon. 

“It unfolded exactly as I had hoped,” said winning trainer Justin Sallusto.  “He has a tremendous kick for the last quarter of a mile and you saw that today.” 

Teaks North, who won the U.N. prep (Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes on June 12), paid $16, $6.40 and $4 and covered the distance over firm turf in 2:13 1/5.  Chinchon completed the $75.60 exacta and paid $4 and $3.  It was another half-length back to the 2-1 favorite, French filly Stacelita, who paid $3 to show. 

“We had a nice trip,” said winning jockey Eddie Castro.  “He was comfortable the whole way around.  When the horses from the back were starting to move, we were able to slip out and go.  He really kicked it in through the stretch.  I was very confident in him throughout the race.” 

The U.N. victory was the second Grade 1 win for Teaks North, who has won seven of his 17 lifetime starts and has earnings of $976,964.  He is a perfect four-for-four on the Monmouth Park turf. 

The United Nations was a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race with Teaks North earning a berth in the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs.  The connections of Teaks North indicated that the Breeders’ Cup will be the goal for their 4-year-old gelding by Northern Afleet from the High Honors mare Teaksberry Road. 

In the Salvator Mile, Kensei unleashed a strong rally in the stretch and held off the late charge of Soaring Empire, stopping the timer in 1:36 4/5 over the fast main track. 

“He broke sharp and the other horses went for the lead,” said winning jockey Edgar Prado.  “I was in the garden spot.  I was very happy with my position early.  He was running pretty easily around there and made his move when I started to ask him.  He really dug in.” 

Kensei returned $32.40, $11.80 and $5.20 in the Salvator Mile, the colt’s first victory since taking the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga in 2009.  Soaring Empire completed the $137.80 exacta and paid $4 and $3.  It was a neck back to Rule, who paid $3.80 to show.  Morning Line, the 3-2 favorite, took the lead turning for home, but faded in the lane to finish fifth of the seven runners. 

A 5-year-old by Mr. Greely from the Belong to Me mare Private Feeling, Kensei sports a record of 5-3-2 from 17 starts.  He has earned $731,364 for his connections. 

over Chinchon in the Grade 1 $750,000 United Nations Stakes as Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Kensei posted a three-quarter length win in the Grade 3 $200,000 Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park on Saturday before a crowd of 12,612. 

Teaks North was bottled up inside behind pacesetter Pulsion early in the mile and three-eighths turf race.  He angled out for the stretch drive and held off the late charge of last year’s U.N. winner Chinchon. 

“It unfolded exactly as I had hoped,” said winning trainer Justin Sallusto.  “He has a tremendous kick for the last quarter of a mile and you saw that today.” 

Teaks North, who won the U.N. prep (Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes on June 12), paid $16, $6.40 and $4 and covered the distance over firm turf in 2:13 1/5.  Chinchon completed the $75.60 exacta and paid $4 and $3.  It was another half-length back to the 2-1 favorite, French filly Stacelita, who paid $3 to show. 

“We had a nice trip,” said winning jockey Eddie Castro.  “He was comfortable the whole way around.  When the horses from the back were starting to move, we were able to slip out and go.  He really kicked it in through the stretch.  I was very confident in him throughout the race.” 

The U.N. victory was the second Grade 1 win for Teaks North, who has won seven of his 17 lifetime starts and has earnings of $976,964.  He is a perfect four-for-four on the Monmouth Park turf. 

The United Nations was a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race with Teaks North earning a berth in the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs.  The connections of Teaks North indicated that the Breeders’ Cup will be the goal for their 4-year-old gelding by Northern Afleet from the High Honors mare Teaksberry Road. 

In the Salvator Mile, Kensei unleashed a strong rally in the stretch and held off the late charge of Soaring Empire, stopping the timer in 1:36 4/5 over the fast main track. 

“He broke sharp and the other horses went for the lead,” said winning jockey Edgar Prado.  “I was in the garden spot.  I was very happy with my position early.  He was running pretty easily around there and made his move when I started to ask him.  He really dug in.” 

Kensei returned $32.40, $11.80 and $5.20 in the Salvator Mile, the colt’s first victory since taking the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga in 2009.  Soaring Empire completed the $137.80 exacta and paid $4 and $3.  It was a neck back to Rule, who paid $3.80 to show.  Morning Line, the 3-2 favorite, took the lead turning for home, but faded in the lane to finish fifth of the seven runners. 

A 5-year-old by Mr. Greely from the Belong to Me mare Private Feeling, Kensei sports a record of 5-3-2 from 17 starts.  He has earned $731,364 for his connections. 

____________________

July 2, 2011

Chuck Lopez Rides 4,000th Career Winner in 1st at Monmouth

Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Chuck C. Lopez, a fixture at Monmouth Park since he started riding 32 years ago, scored the 4,000^th winner of his career in the first race here Saturday when he piloted Duffy’s Tavern ($7.80) to a gate to wire performance.

The 50-year-old Lopez, who was the top apprentice at Monmouth in 1979, won the overall riding title at Monmouth in 1998.

“I just want to thank everyone who’s helped me over the years,” said a jubilant Lopez after reaching the career milestone.  “My family, my agents, all the trainers and owners who have been so supportive, I thank you.”

The son of jockey Carlos Lopez Sr., Chuck C. Lopez won his first race aboard Foolish Tracy at Keystone in 1979. He was leading apprentice at the Monmouth summer meet that year, and in the fall of 1979, won his first overall riding title at the Meadowlands meet with 80 wins.

He won his first graded stakes race aboard Mr. Impatience in the Lamplighter (G3) in 1994 at Monmouth.

Lopez has two sons who are carrying on the family tradition to the third generation. Erick Lopez is a journeyman, and David Lopez is riding as an apprentice.

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Chuck C. Lopez lives in Morganville, N.J.
 

________________________

June 26, 2011
FEEL THAT FIRE WIRES FOES IN BLUE SPARKLER
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Red Oak Stable’s Feel That Fire grabbed the early lead and held off the late charge of D’wild Ride to capture the $75,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday before a crowd of 10,716.

Ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr., Feel That Fire covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 1/5 and paid $6.40, $4 and $3 as the favorite in the field of seven fillies and mares.  D’wild Ride, who finished three quarters of a length back in second, completed the $26.60 exacta and returned $4.20 and $3.  It was another 3 ¾ lengths back to Bronx City Girl, who paid $2.60 to show.

“That was a super performance,” said winning trainer Gregg Sacco.  “Her last was a good race that set her up perfectly for this.  She’s a lightly raced filly and we’ve targeted the races this summer.  The Regret (July 31) on Haskell Day will be her next start.”

The Blue Sparkler victory was the third win in seven starts for Feel That Fire, a 4-year-old by Lightnin N Thunder from the French Deputy mare Ubetwereven.  She has earned $146,080 for her connections.

Live racing continues at Monmouth on Friday July 1 for a four day holiday weekend.  A special Fourth of July card will be offered on Monday.  As always the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcasting from across the country and around the globe.

______________________

June 25, 2011
SUMMER SOIREE MUCH THE BEST IN GRADE 3 BOILING SPRINGS; CHECK POINT SHINES BRIGHTEST IN LIGHTHOUSE STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Team Valor International’s Summer Soiree took the lead around the 5/8ths pole before drawing off to an impressive 6 ½ length win in the $150,000 Boiling Springs Stakes as Check Point reported home a 2 ¾ length winner in the $75,000 Lighthouse Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Summer Soiree, making her first start on turf, returned $9.40, $6 and $5.20 in the field of nine 3-year-old fillies after stepping the mile and a sixteenth over “good” turf in 1:42 4/5.  My Sunshine Gal rallied to complete the $89 exacta and paid $10.40 and $8.20.  It was a head back to Hessonite, who returned $6 to show.

“She’s a real handful around the barn in the morning,” said winning trainer H. Graham Motion.  “When I saw her move to the lead early, I was a little worried, but I guess for no reason.  I was happy to see her relax.  Having sat off horses early on is going to help her a lot down the road.”

Jockey Gabriel Saez, who’s been aboard for all 10 of Summer Soiree’s starts, said:  “I wanted to sit off a couple of horses early on and see how she relaxes.  After the first quarter mile I put her in the clear and she wanted to go to the front.  I wasn’t going to fight her, just let her go on with it.  She’s something special.”

The Grade 3 Boiling Springs victory was the second graded stakes victory for Summer Soiree, who took the Grade 3 Bourbonette Oaks before going on to race in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks.  The daughter of War Front from the Mazel Trick mare Mazel Tov boosted her record to 4-0-3, good for earnings of $221,680.

In the mile and a sixteenth Lighthouse Stakes, Richard Santulli’s Check Point unleashed a powerful run around the far turn before drawing off to victory in 1:43 flat over the fast main track.

Trained by Alan Goldberg, Check Point returned $11.20, $5 and $3.60 in the field of six fillies and mares.  Pacesetter Debonair Darling completed the $120.80 exacta and paid $8.80 and $4.20.  It was another length and a quarter back to Successful Song, who paid $2.80 to show.

“I just saved ground around the first turn and at the 3/8ths pole asked her,” said winning rider C.H. Marquez Jr.  “The leaders started coming back to us and she just blew by them.  That’s her running style and everything worked out perfectly for her.”

The Lighthouse win was the seventh in 25 starts for Check Point, a 5-year-old by Posse from the Rahy mare Turning Point.  She has now earned $308,640 for her connections.

___________________

June 24, 2011
APPRENTICE DAVID LOPEZ WINS FIRST CAREER RACE; SON OF JOURNEYMAN C.C. LOPEZ GUIDES I DID IT HIS WAY TO $113.00 UPSET
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Apprentice rider David Lopez, son of Monmouth Park veteran rider Chuck C. Lopez, celebrated the first win of his career Friday afternoon at Monmouth Park by guiding 55-1 longshot I Did It His Way to victory in the day’s fourth race. 

“It’s everything I thought it would be and more,” the 21-year-old David Lopez said.  “I’ve been waiting for this since I was a little kid – watching my dad and learning from him.  You never know, but I always hoped it would happen this quickly.” 

Despite heavy fog hampering the effectiveness of on-track video cameras and the vision of track announcer Larry Collmus, Lopez appeared to have his mount on the lead throughout the one-mile $10,000 maiden claiming event. 

At the wire, Lopez and the 4-year-old son of Mongoose finished two lengths ahead of runner-up Gambaru. 

Following the winner’s circle presentation, Lopez was greeted with buckets of ice water from his fellow fourth-race riders before being doused with shaving cream, eggs and even more water back at the jock’s room.   

That, of course, was followed by a hug from dad. 

“I couldn’t be prouder of him,” Chuck C. Lopez said.  “He’s paid his dues and waited a long time for this.  I’m just so proud.” 

Friday’s fourth race was just the third start of David Lopez’s career who is the latest member of the Lopez family – joining grandfather Carlos Lopez Sr., uncle Carlos Lopez Jr., father Chuck C. Lopez, and brother Erick Lopez – to reach the winner’s circle at Monmouth Park.

_______________________

June 20, 2011
BELMONT WINNER VALDIVIA POSTPONES FULL-TIME MOVE TO NEW YORK CIRCUIT
By David Grening. Daily Racing Form

ELMONT, N.Y. - Jose Valdivia has put his plans to ride in New York on a full-time basis on hold.

Instead, the Belmont Stakes-winning rider will continue to ride at Monmouth Park on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays while trying to drum up business in New York on Wednesdays and Thursdays, he said late Monday afternoon. Valdivia has retained the retired Hall of Fame rider Jorge Velasquez to be his agent.

"There's only five weeks left until Saratoga, and it's probably hard for me to build up business going into that meet," said Valdivia, who last week said he wanted to try to ride in New York on a full-time basis. "I definitely believe I can ride there, but from a business standpoint I don't want to give up my Monmouth Park business."

Valdivia, who won the Belmont Stakes aboard Ruler On Ice for owners George and Lori Hall and trainer Kelly Breen, is only 3 for 60 at Monmouth, with 12 seconds.

Valdivia said he hopes to move to New York sometime this fall and stay for the winter. Last winter, Valdivia won 25 races from 151 mounts during Aqueduct's inner track meet.
 ____________________

June 19, 2011
27,039 FANS JAM MONMOUTH PARK FOR FATHER'S DAY; ROYAL CURRIER, GUNFIGHTER TAKE DAD'S DAY STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – A season-high crowd of 27,039 flowed through the turnstiles at Monmouth Park on Sunday and were treated to a pair of impressive favorites taking the two Father’s Day stakes events. 

Kicking off the stakes action was Royal Currier, who took command early and never looked back in the $65,000 Anderson Fowler Stakes, as Gunfighter grabbed command approaching the quarter-pole before drawing off to victory in the $65,000 Bernie Dowd Handicap. 

Mat Stables’ Royal Currier covered the 5 ½ furlongs over firm turf in 1:02 flat and paid $4.60, $3.40 and $2.80 as the favorite in the field of nine colts and geldings.  It was a length and a quarter back to Christiesborntorun, who completed the $30.20 exacta and paid $5.60 and $4.  Freud’s Honour was another two lengths back in third, good for a $4.40 show mutuel. 

“He’s a very tactical horse with a very bright future,” said winning jockey Joe Bravo.  “He’s really good at following instructions.  He just flew around there.” 

A 3-year-old by Red Bullet from the Lite the Fuse mare Top of the League, Royal Currier earned his sixth win in 12 starts by taking the Anderson Fowler.  He has earned $235,950 for his connections, who indicated the Jersey Shore Stakes (Grade 3, $150,000) at Monmouth on July 3, could be the gelding’s next start. 

In the Bernie Dowd, Gunfighter proved a much-the-best winner, taking the mile and 70 yards contest by three lengths in 1:41 3/5.  The winner paid $4.80, $3.60 and $2.80 as the favorite in the field of nine New Jersey-bred colts and geldings. 

Trained by Steve Klesaris, Gunfighter topped the $217.60 exacta with longshot Adduce, who rallied for the place, paying $34 and $10.20.  It was another three-quarters of a length back to pacesetter Hermosillo, who paid $5.80 to show. 

“He’s a really good horse,” said winning jockey Jose Valdivia Jr.  “The fractions seemed to be demanding, but he was doing it on his own.  At the head of the lane, I called on him and he kicked on and had another gear.” 

Gunfighter, a gelding by Iron Deputy from the Mazel Trick mare Sweetgeorgiabrown, bumped his lifetime mark to 4-4-1 from 14 starts.  He’s earned $225,052 for owners Susan Moore and M and M Thoroughbred Partners. 

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, June 24 – gates open at 11:30 a.m., 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. 

_____________________

June 18, 2011

PANTS ON FIRE SMOKES FOES IN PEGASUS STAKES; LOVE THAT DANCE CAPTURES OPEN MIND 'CAP

Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – George and Lori Hall’s Pants on Fire gained command around the far turn and held off the late charge of Concealed Identity to capture the Grade 3, $200,000 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday. 

Pants on Fire, a colt by Jump Start, was making his first start since finishing 9^th in the Kentucky Derby on May 7.  After a slight stumble out of the gate, he sat a couple lengths off of fractions of :23 3/5 for the first quarter mile and :47 1/5 for the half.  Pants on Fire asserted himself after entering the far turn before reporting home a two-length winner. 

“He stumbled a little bit coming out of the gate,” said winning trainer Kelly John Breen, “but he didn’t grab himself or lose a shoe – it was just a little stumble.  He was on a loose rein, so I wasn’t sure how much horse she (jockey Napravnik) had, but when she moved to the lead he looked strong.” 

Sent off as the odds-on favorite in the field of five colts and geldings, Pants On Fire returned $3.20, $2.80 and $2.10 after covering the mile and a sixteenth over a fast main track in 1:42 4/5.  Concealed Identity paid $5 and $2.40 and completed the $12.40 exacta.  It was another four lengths back to pacesetter Turbo Compressor, who paid $2.20 to show.   

“He was the best horse in the race,” said winning rider Anna Rose “Rosie” Napravnik.  “I think around the far turn, the horses in front started to get a little tired, so I just went for the lead.  This horse is very special to me.  He brought me to the Kentucky Derby, which hopefully won’t be a once in a lifetime experience.  He’s just a very special horse.” 

The Pegasus win was the second graded stakes victory for Pants On Fire.  Earlier this year he captured the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, before heading to the Kentucky Derby. 

A major prep for the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on July 31, the Pegasus winner could find himself headed to the Shore racetrack’s signature event:  “The Haskell is a definite possibility,” said Breen, who last week teamed with the Halls to capture racing’s third jewel in the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, with Ruler On Ice, who is also under consideration for the Haskell. 

_________________________

June 16, 2011

TEAKS NORTH HEADED TO UNITED NATIONS AFTER MONMOUTH WIN

Monmouth Park.com

Jules Boutelle’s Teaks North sat the perfect trip in last Sunday’s Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes on the turf, launched his bid in deep stretch, and was up in time for a nearly-length score over Sleepless Knight. 

That win should set him up perfectly for his major summer goal – the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (G1) here on July 2. 

“He came out of the race great,” said trainer Justin Sallusto. “Eddie Castro rode a great race. He had the horse in the perfect spot the whole way.” 

Teaks North, a 4-year-old son of Northern Afleet, remained unbeaten on the Monmouth turf when Castro placed him just behind the dueling leaders, Get Stormy and Get Serious, and was ready to pounce when they tired. 

The gelding became a Grade 1 winner in February of this year when his closing style brought him a nose score in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. Last year, he won the Restoration Stakes on the Monmouth grass. 

Get Serious, who ran head and head with favored Get Stormy for most of last Sunday’s stakes, finished fourth in the mile and an eighth test. 

“It was a very good race,” said trainer Pat McBurney. “He dug in the whole stretch and never gave up.” 

Get Serious had to deal with a turf course that had been softened by rain, and the nine furlongs of the Monmouth Stakes is at the limit of his range. 

“No United Nations for him this year,” McBurney said. “He’ll go next in the Battlefield (one mile, July 9) and then the Oceanport (mile and a sixteenth on July 31).”

____________________

June 12, 2011
TEAKS NORTH TAKES GRADE 3 MONMOUTH STAKES; GENERAL PERFECT WINS MCSORLEY; SAY A NOVENA SETS TRACK RECORD
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Julia C. Boutelle’s Teaks North sat off the early speed of Get Serious and Get Stormy before unleashing a furious stretch rally, posting a three-quarter length win in the $250,000 Monmouth Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday before a crowd of 14,836.

Teaks North, now a perfect three-for-three over the Monmouth turf, covered the mile and an eighth over the “good” course in 1:48 2/5 and paid $11.60, $6.40 and $3.20.  Sleepless Knight rallied to complete the $116.60 exacta and paid $11.80 and $5.40.  It was another half-length back to 4-5 favorite Get Stormy, who paid $2.20 to show.

“He loves it here,” said winning trainer Justin Sallusto.  “He’s never lost over this track.  Eddie (jockey Castro) did everything exactly as I said, ‘sit off the early speed and when you turn for home come and get them.’  Today was perfect.”

Castro echoed the trainer’s comments, “We had two speed horses in front of us and were in perfect position,” the jockey said.  “I thought Get Stormy was going to be really tough, but luckily my horse had a really good kick in the stretch.”

A 4-year-old gelding by Northern Afleet from the High Honors mare Teaksberry Road, Teaks North improved to 6-1-2 from 16 starts.  The $150,000 winner’s share of the Grade 3 purse moved his lifetime bankroll to $526,964.

Earlier on the card, General Perfect went from last to first to capture the $65,000 John McSorley Stakes, traveling the 5 ½ furlongs over “good” turf in 1:02 1/5.

Trained by Glenn Thompson and ridden by Joe Bravo, General Perfect paid $19.20, $8.40 and $6.  Southern Danger, who finished a length and a half back, completed the $184.40 exacta and returned $10, $6.40.  It was another half-length back to Awakino Cat, who paid $4.40 to show.

It was the second consecutive year General Perfect captured the McSorley Stakes.  Last year, the gelding went wire-to-wire in 1:01 2/5.  After Sunday’s score, the 8-year-old General Perfect boosted his lifetime mark to 10-4-5 from 42 starts, good for earnings of $451,376.

In Sunday’s first race, Say A Novena established a new track record for 4 ½ furlongs on the main track when he stepped the distance in :50.93, besting the old record of :51.88 established on June 5, 2009 by Southern Truth.

A 2-year-old filly making just her second career start, Say A Novena paid $18 in the maiden special weight event.  Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. and ridden by Mike Luzzi, Say A Novena is by Songandaprayer from the Dynaformer mare Rabiadella.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, June 17 – gates open 11:30 a.m., 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.

______________

June 12, 2011

BELMONT WINNER RULER ON ICE BACK AT MONMOUTH; CONNECTIONS CONTINUE TO ENJOY CLASSIC VICTORY

Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Following his stunning upset in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, Ruler On Ice was back at his Monmouth Park base in perfect shape, according to his trainer Kelly John Breen. 

“It’s like he never even ran,” said Breen, a 42-year-old resident of Farmingdale, N.J.  “It’s amazing how good he’s doing.  He just ran a mile and a half like it was nothing.” 

Ruler On Ice, a 3-year-old gelding by 2005 Haskell winner Roman Ruler, sat just off the speed of Preakness winner Shackleford in the Belmont Stakes.  Turning for home, Ruler On Ice moved into contention before asserting himself in the final yards to pull away for the Belmont victory, good for a $51.50 win mutuel. 

“It hard to describe winning the Belmont,” said Breen, sporting a Ruler On Ice cap.  “I did lose my voice, but it was well worth it.” 

Rumson residents George and Lori Hall purchased Ruler On Ice as a yearling for $100,000 out of the Keeneland September sales.  The Halls, who have a barn full of horses under Breen’s care, enjoyed their first Classic victory when Ruler On Ice took the Belmont. 

“You could see after the race he wanted to do another victory lap,” said George Hall after his horse’s Belmont win.  “I think he's a much better horse than the odds showed, and he proved it today.” 

As for where Ruler On Ice heads next, “Not sure yet,” Breen said.  “The Haskell is certainly a possibility.” 

The Grade 1, $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational is the signature event of the Monmouth Park season.  The mile and an eighth contest will be renewed on Sunday, July 31.  Over the past four years, the Haskell has produced the year-end champion 3-year-old, including a pair of Horse of the Year winners:  Curlin and Rachel Alexandra. 

Tickets for the Haskell can be purchased on-track, by calling 732-571-5563 or at www.ticketmaster.com. 

______________________________
June 11, 2011
POMEROYS PISTOL MUCH THE BEST IN JUST SMASHING; ZERO RATE POLICY DOMINATES RUMSON STAKES IN 1:08 4/5
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Hardacre Farm LLC’s Pomeroys Pistol sat off the early speed before reeling in pacesetters Maple Forest and Honey Chile to capture the $75,000 Just Smashing Stakes as Zero Rate Policy dominated his five rivals in the $75,000 Rumson Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Ridden by Chris DeCarlo, Pomeroy’s Pistol covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 flat and paid $5.80, $3.20 and $2.20 in the field of five 3-year-old fillies.  Maple Forest finished 4 ½ lengths behind the winner and paid $3.20 and $2.20.  The exacta returned $20.80.  It was another 4 ½ lengths back to Honey Chile, the post-time favorite, who paid $2.10 to show.

“There were some nice horses in there,” said winning trainer Amy Tarrant, who also owns Hardacre Farm.  “I’m always happy when she shows what she’s got.  I did expect this today.  She’s a stone-cold sprinter.  Chris (jockey DeCarlo) did a great job riding her and when it was time to go she did what she needed to do.”

Earlier this year, Pomeroys Pistol captured the Grade 2 Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park.  She now sports a lifetime record of 3-1-2 from eight starts and earnings of $260,178.

Owned by Klaravich Stables and W. H. Lawrence, Zero Rate Policy covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in a snappy 1:08 4/5 and returned $3.80, $2.60 and $2.20 as the odds-on choice in the Rumson.  It was nearly five lengths back to Razmataz, who completed the $8.20 exacta and paid $3 and $2.60.  Brother in Arms was another neck back in third, good for a $4.20 show mutuel.

“He’s something special,” said winning rider Carlos H. Marquez Jr.  “He’s push button.  I just let him roll out of the gate and when it’s time to go, he does the rest.  He’s really fast and continues to mature with each race.”

Zero Rate Policy, trained by Terri Pompay, sports a record of 3-1-0 from four starts.  The 3-year-old gelding by Trippi from the Unbridled’s Song mare Untitled Song has now earned $124,184.

____________________________

June 10, 2011

TRAINER ALEXANDER WINS FOUR ON FRIDAY AT MONMOUTH; TIES RECORD FOR MOST WINS LAST ACCOMPLISHED IN 1989

Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Trainer Bruce Alexander enjoyed a banner day at Monmouth Park on Friday, tying the record for most wins in a single day after he captured four of the 11 races on the card. 

It was the fourth time in track history that a trainer won four on a single card and the first time in 22 years.  On Sept. 8, 1975 trainer J. Willard Thompson set the bar with a four-bagger, followed by Robert Klesaris on July 10, 1987 and John Forbes on Aug. 28, 1989. 

“You never expect to win four races in one day,” said Alexander, who lives in nearby Eatontown.  “Today was just one of those of days where everything worked out.” 

Alexander, a 56-year-old native of Canandaigua, N.Y., saddled five horses at Monmouth on Friday.  The first of his victories came in race three with My Place Anytime ($3.60).  He then won the sixth with Wicked Tune ($21.20), the seventh with Image of Don ($7.80) and the finale with Crafty Concorde ($7).  All four horses are owned Patricia Generazio. 

After tying for top conditioner at Monmouth’s Elite Summer Meet last year, Alexander went on to saddle more winners than any other trainer in 2010 at Monmouth Park.   

_______________________

June 10, 2011

PEGASUS STAKES ON JUNE 18 A STEPPING-STONE TO HASKELL

Monmouth Park.com

Some of the 3-year-olds looking for a bid to the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) on July 31 will swing into action at Monmouth on Saturday, June 18, in the $200,000 Pegasus Stakes (G3) at a mile and a sixteenth. 

The Monmouth-based contingent is expected to be led by George and Lori Hall’s Pants on Fire, who finished ninth as one of the favorites in the Kentucky Derby. The Jump Start colt, trained by Kelly Breen, won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby before the Run for the Roses. 

Pants on Fire bled in the Derby, Breen said, but the colt has been training sharply at Monmouth and will use the Pegasus as his Haskell prep. 

Rivals in the Pegasus are expected to include the Todd Pletcher-trained Turbo Compressor, who made a big impression at Monmouth on opening day, May 14, when he won a first-level allowance event by 13 ½ lengths. 

Trainer Justin Salusto has nominated both Clarke Lane and Crossed the Line, and will run one of the colts. Clarke Lane, who raced in England as a 2-year-old, was third in the Alydar Stakes at Hollywood Park last month. Crossed the Line raced twice at Monmouth last year, and just missed breaking his maiden by a nose last Nov. 13. 

_______________________

June 9, 2011

MONMOUTH-BASED RULER ON ICE TARGETS BELMONT STAKES

Monmouth Park.com

Trainer Kelly Breen says Ruler on Ice is the best he’s ever been – bloodwise, that is – which could make the Monmouth Park-based runner a longshot threat in Saturday’s $1 million Belmont Stakes, final jewel of racing’s Triple Crown.

The gelded son of Roman Ruler, who finished third in the Sunland Derby (G3) in March, and then ran second in the Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico as a prep for the Preakness, has not run since that May 7 race because of “poor blood,” according to Breen.

“We were pointing him for the Preakness,” the trainer said, “and then he disappointed us in the Tesio, which I thought he should have won. It turned out his blood count was very bad, and he needed time to build up.

“He’s never been off the board this year, and he was always gaining in his races, so a mile and a half race was always in our thoughts,” Breen said. “Once we knew he wouldn’t make the Preakness, we started pointing him for the Belmont.

“I’m glad we gave him time, because his blood count has never been better, and he’s been showing us in the morning that he’s ready to run with the top caliber horses.”

Ruler on Ice, who was purchased for $100,000 from the 2009 Keeneland yearling sale, has turned in two straight bullet works over the Monmouth track. He went five furlongs in 1:00 flat on May 27 (best of 10 works at the distance), and confirmed that with five furlongs in 1:01 flat (best of 23) on June 4.

Jose Valdivia Jr., who has been aboard Ruler on Ice in all his four starts this year, has the call again as they go from Post 3 in the field of a dozen 3-year-olds that includes Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford.

Monmouth will offer advance wagering on the Belmont Stakes on Friday, June 10, beginning at noon. On Saturday, Monmouth’s gates will open at 10:30 a.m. for simulcast betting on the entire Belmont Stakes Day card, which gets underway at 11:35 a.m. with the first of 13 races.

___________________________

June 4, 2011
Colony Club, $23.60, Upsets Foes in Fort Monmouth Stakes
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Alexandra S. White’s Colony Club sat off the early pace before moving strongly through the lane to wear down pacesetter Ahvee’s Destiny in the $65,000 Fort Monmouth Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday. 

With a crowd of 11,571 looking on, Colony Club covered the 5 ½ furlongs over firm turf in 1:02 flat and returned $23.60, $9.80 and $6.  Ahvee’s Destiny held for second, a half-length back, and paid $6.40 and $4.60.  The exacta returned $154.60.  It was another length back to Cherry on the Top, who paid $6.20 to show. 

“Everything worked out perfectly,” said White, who also conditions Colony Club.  “She’ll go back to Maryland.  We train off the farm down there.  I’m sure she’ll be back at Monmouth for another race like this one.” 

The victory proved extra special for White, as it was the trainer’s first stakes victory.  It was also a special win for rider Forest Boyce, who won her first career race as a jockey aboard Colony Club on June 30, 2009. 

“She’s a very nice filly,” Boyce said.  “You can put her wherever.  She can race on the lead or from behind.  She’s a tough little filly and everything worked out well today.” 

A 5-year-old mare by Lion Hearted from the Wild Again mare Wild Shine, Colony Club sports a record of 5-4-0 from 13 lifetime starts.  She has banked $140,714 for her connections. 

__________________________
June 3, 2011
Ponzi Scheme Has Iselin Stakes in Long-Range Plans
Monmouth Park.com

Ponzi Scheme, claimed for $20,000 out of a turf race here last August, is on a roll right now, and his last outing was probably the best of his life as the 4-year-old rolled to a front-running victory in last Monday’s Skip Away Stakes. 

The horse is doing so well that owner John Koenig and trainer Juan Serey are daring to dream big for the rest of this season. 

“We want to stretch him out,” Koenig said, “and maybe get to the Breeders’ Cup Marathon.” 

One of the stops along the way to Churchill Downs in November is the $250,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) at nine furlongs on Saturday, Aug. 20. 

“That will be the target for the summer at Monmouth,” Serey said. 

Ponzi Scheme, by Sunday Break, has won six races in his 23-race career, and the last two have been his most impressive. In his start before the mile and a sixteenth Skip Away, Ponzi Scheme ran away with an allowance race at Tampa Bay. 

“He’s very good now,” Serey said. “We gelded him, and that made a difference. But really you have to be very lucky to claim a horse like him.” 

______________________

June 1, 2011
Monmouth Park lease agreement close but not done deal
By Matt Hegarty, Daily Racing Form

Negotiations over a lease of Monmouth Park in New Jersey remained open on Wednesday, a state-imposed deadline, but the lack of an agreement is not expected to impact the track’s current race meet in any way, according to Morris Bailey, the New Jersey horseman and real estate developer who is seeking to lease the track from the state for the next five years.

Bailey said on Wednesday that multi-party talks were ongoing among himself, representatives of the state, officials of the New Jersey’s Thoroughbred and Standardbred horsemen, and a New York real estate developer, Jeff Gural, who has been tabbed to lease the state’s harness track, the Meadowlands.

“It looks like we’re finally getting to the point where we’re close to signing a memorandum of understanding,” Bailey said. “It will probably be relatively quick from there.”

Outstanding issues on the lease include the division of revenues from simulcasting at both Monmouth and the Meadowlands that will accrue to both Standardbred and Thoroughbred horsemen. In addition, Bailey said that he is seeking a partnership agreement with Gural over management of offtrack betting parlors that the two are expected to open if the lease negotiations are successful.

Monmouth Park opened its live race meet in mid-May. The track is technically still under the management control of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the state agency that owns the track and the Meadowlands. Earlier this year, Gov. Chris Christie said that he wanted the negotiations over the leases of the two tracks completed by June 1, but Bailey said that all parties involved in the discussions have acknowledged that the passing of the deadline would not alter the negotiations.

Under the lease, Bailey would be able to operate Monmouth for five years, and would receive the right to operate five offtrack betting parlors, only one of which is already assigned to an existing parlor. The current negotiations provide for 71 live racing dates at Monmouth each year, with a commitment to an average daily purse distribution of $400,000.

______________________

May 30, 2011
DENOMINATION CASHES IN WITH VIOLET SCORE; PONZI SCHEME STEALS SKIP AWAY STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Mrs. Alec Head’s Denomination came with a strong stretch rally to post a nose victory in the $150,000 Grade 3 Violet Stakes as Ponzi Scheme wired his foes to post a three-length win in the $75,000 Skip Away Stakes at Monmouth Park on Monday.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Denomination covered the mile and a sixteenth over firm turf in 1:41 4/5 and paid $4.20, $3 and $2.60 as the favorite in the field of seven fillies and mares.  Unbridled Essence came with her run on the far outside to complete the $45.20 exacta and returned $8.20 and $3.80.  It was another length back to La Reine Lionne, who paid $2.60 to show.

“Heading into the far turn, she gave me the sensation that all she needed was a hole and she was going to run for me,” said winning jockey Joe Bravo.  “She was well within herself.  I’m just really thankful for being on this horse today.”

The Violet victory was the second graded stakes win for Denomination this year.  In March she took the Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs.  From 21 lifetime starts, Denomination has a record of 6-4-3 and earnings of $429,301.

In the Skip Away Stakes, Ponzi Scheme took command right out of the gate, was challenged nearing the quarter pole by 1-9 favorite Christmas for Liam, but kicked away in the lane to pay $25.20, $10.60 and $2.60.

“My horse was training super,” said winning conditioner Juan Serey.  “I told the jockey to see what happens at the break.  We wound up in front and that was fine.  I don’t care who’s in the race, when my horse is doing good, I know he’ll be tough.”

Yummy with Butter rallied to complete the $135.20 exacta and paid $7.20 and $2.40.  Christmas for Liam settled for the show, good for a $2.10 mutuel.

Ridden by Elvis Trujillo, Ponzi Scheme now sports a record of 6-2-5 from 23 starts and career earnings of $178,780.
Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, June 3 – gates open at 11:30 a.m., 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.

_____________________
May 29, 2011
ARTISANAL BURSTS THROUGH TO TAKE LITTLE SILVER; JEHAN BESTS STABLEMATE IN RED CROSS
Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Starlight Racing’s Artisanal employed a powerful stretch run to take the $70,000 Little Silver Stakes while Farnsworth Stables LLC’s Jehan held off stablemate Bronx City Girl to capture the $75,000 Red Cross in front of 13,522 at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Artisanal raced well within range of pacesetter Salary Drive through opening fractions of :23 4/5 and :48 2/5.  As the field entered the stretch, jockey Chris DeCarlo awaited room and guided the 3-year-old daughter of More Than Ready into the clear.  Artisanal paid $4.80, $3.20 and $2.60 as the 7-5 favorite in the field of eight sophomores. 

“We were boxed in around the far turn, but I wasn’t worried,” DeCarlo said.  “She’s the type of horse that you can wait for an opening rather than look for one.  I finally got out at the eighth pole and it was all her from there.” 

Pacesetter Salary Drive finished a length and a half back in second and returned $4.60 and $3.40.  It was another head back to Skating in third, good for a $2.80 show mutuel.  The final time for the one mile over firm turf was 1:35 3/5.       

The Little Silver was the third win a row for Artisanal who increased her record to 3-1-0 from five starts.  The winner’s share of the purse bumps her career earnings to $107,359.   

In the Red Cross, Jehan broke sharply, fended off pace challenges from Landing My Way and Feel That Fire, and held on to finish 1 ½ lengths in front of Bronx City Girl. 

Half of the entry from trainer Marty Wolfson, Jehan paid $6.40, $6.20, $3 as the 2-1 second choice.  D’Wild Ride paid $3 to show and completed a $23.20 exacta.  

“I talked with Marty Wolfson this morning,” said winning rider Joe Bravo.  “He told me that [Jehan] just got beat by [Grade 1 winner] Life at Ten last out.  The instructions were to get her close to the lead early.  That’s what I did and the Marty Wolfson training took over from there.” 

The win was the fifth of Jehan’s career and improved her career record to 5-6-5 from 25 lifetime starts.  The 5-year-old by Forest Wildcat has now banked $292,883 in his career.       

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Monday, May 30.  Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post set for 12:50 p.m. 

_______________________

May 29, 2011

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY RACING SCHEDULE BEGINS THIS WEEK

Monmouth Park.com

Following a special Memorial Day card of racing on Monday, May 30, Monmouth Park will begin a live racing schedule of Friday through Sunday beginning on June 3.

The racetrack will host live racing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 5.  In addition, the track will host holiday cards on Monday, July 4 (Fourth of July) and Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day).

Live racing will continue through Sunday, Nov. 6.  After the Labor Day card, Monmouth will race on Saturdays and Sundays with the addition of Monday, Oct. 10 (Columbus Day) and Friday, Nov. 4 (first Breeders’ Cup card).

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

___________________

May 28, 2011

CRIMSON CHINA LAST TO FIRST WINNER OF LAMPLIGHTER; DABNABIT GOES GATE TO WIRE IN REILLY 'CAP

Monmouth Park.com

Oceanport, N.J. – Team Valor International’s Crimson China sat patiently off fast fractions before rallying in the lane to post a length victory in the $70,000 Lamplighter Stakes as G.J. Stable’s Dabnabit took control out of the gate and never looked back to win the $65,000 John J. Reilly Handicap on Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Trained by H. Graham Motion, Crimson China covered the mile and a sixteenth over firm turf in 1:40 3/5 and returned $3, $2.10 and $2.10 as the solid choice in the field of five 3-year-old colts and geldings.  Beachcombing completed the $5 exacta and paid $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show.  It was another length and a half back to J Isle, good for a $3.40 show mutuel.

“The plan was to break well and sit a little closer to the speed than we were,” said winning rider Alan Garcia, “but the two frontrunners were going really fast in the first part of the race.  I tapped him with the whip a couple of times before we got to the stretch and he took off.  I mostly just hand rode him in the stretch.”

A son of Giant’s Causeway from the Mr. Greeley mare Parisian Affair, Crimson China entered the Lamplighter off a fifth-place finish to Santiva in the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes.  Saturday’s win moved the colt’s record to 3-2-0 from six starts, good for earnings of $112,538.

In the Reilly, Dabnabit and jockey Pablo Fragoso went the six furlongs over the fast main track in 1:11 1/5 and paid $34.80, $13.60 and $9.60 across the board.  It was a length and three-quarters back to the 5-2 favorite Gunfighter, who paid $4.40 and $3.40.  The exacta returned $152.80.  Hop Skip and Away, who finished another length and a half back, rallied to pay $9.80 to show.  Crowd favorite Joey P. was near the pacesetter early, but faded to finish last of the 11 runners in the New Jersey-bred restricted race.

“I told Pablo [jockey Fragoso] this horse needs to be on the lead,” said winning trainer Luis Carvajal Jr.  “Once he got to the front, I thought he had a good shot from there.”

A 6-year-old by Intidab from the Roman Reasoning mare Signa, Dabnabit boosted his lifetime bankroll to $230,221 after taking his fourth win in 25 starts.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, May 29.  In addition, the track will host a special Memorial Day card on Monday, May 30.  Gates open at 11:30 a.m. both days, with first post set for 12:50 p.m.

___________________

May 22, 2011
RUSH NOW ROLLS TO VICTORY IN SPEND A BUCK STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

RushNow took control out of the gate and never looked back, taking the $75,000 Spend a Buck Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday by 4 ¼ lengths.        

Trained by Anthony Dutrow, Rush Now stepped the mile and 70 yards over a fast main track in 1:40 3/5 and returned $4, $3 and $2.20 as the odds-on favorite in the field of six 3-year-old colts and geldings.  Longshot Uncle Otto completed the $60 exacta and paid $11.80 and $3.80.  It was another 3 ¼ lengths back to Malibu Glow, who paid $2.20 to show. 

“He’s a nice 3-year-old,” said winning jockey Joe Bravo.  “We were really helped out today by the lack of speed in the race.  He just galloped around there.  The hardest part of the race was pulling him up.” 

A colt by Tiznow from the Wild Rush mare Dirty Rush, Rush Now sports a record of 4-1-1 from nine starts.  He has earned $158,765 for owners David Cottle and Smart Angle LLP. 

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Saturday, May 28 – gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post set for 12:50 p.m.  The racetrack will host live cards on Saturday, Sunday and Monday next weekend.  After that, the regular schedule of Friday through Sunday racing will commence. 

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

 
____________________________
May 21, 2011
SUCCESSFUL MISSION WIRE-TO-WIRE WINNER OF ELKWOOD
Monmouth Park.com

Live Oak Plantation’s Successful Mission took command out of the gate and never looked back, besting his eight rivals to capture the $75,000 Elkwood Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Trained by Edward Plesa Jr., Successful Mission covered the mile over a fast main track in 1:35 and paid $11, $5.80 and $4.20.  It was 7 ¼ lengths back to Hockley who completed the $71.20 exacta and paid $7.40 and $4.20.  Not Abroad rallied to finish another 7 ½ lengths back in third, good for a $6 show mutuel.  Post-time favorite Get Serious failed to fire in the Elkwood, a race originally scheduled for the turf, and finished last.

“He was very comfortable,” said winning jockey Chuck C. Lopez.  “I worked him the other day and he handled the dirt great for a turf horse.  I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to beat Get Serious to the lead but I worked on my horse and was able to get the jump.  I looked back at the eighth pole and couldn’t believe how far in front I was.”

A 5-year-old gelding by Successful Appeal from the Cryptoclearance mare Ava Knowsthecode, Successful Mission sports a record of 8-0-2 from 17 starts.  He has earned $332,643 for his connections.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, May 22.  Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post set for 12:50 p.m.

__________________________

May 20, 2011
MONMOUTH PARK TO RACE 71-DAY MEETING FOR 2011, RUNNING FROM MAY 14 THROUGH NOVEMBER 6
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth Park will offer 71 days of Thoroughbred racing for 2011, which began on May 14, and will run through Sunday, Nov. 6. 

Throughout May, Monmouth will race Saturdays and Sundays, plus Monday, May 30, Memorial Day. 

From June through August, Monmouth will have live cards Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays each week, plus Monday, July 4. 

After running a four-day Labor Day weekend schedule (Sept. 2 through Sept. 5), the track will offer racing on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October.  A Columbus Day holiday card is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 10. 

Three cards in November will close out the 2011 season, with racing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4 through Nov. 6. 

First post time every day during the meeting will be 12:50, with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.  The only exception will be Sunday, July 31, which features the $1 million Haskell Invitational.  Post time on Haskell Day is 12 noon, with gates opening at 10:00 a.m.

__________________________
May 19, 2011
PRESIOUS PASSION ON TRACK FOR ANOTHER TRY AT U.N. GLORY
Monmouth Park.com

Patricia Generazio’s Presious Passion, who gave trainer Mary Hartmann her first Grade 1 victory when he took the 2009 United Nations Stakes, is back at Monmouth and aiming for the top turf event of the season on July 2.

The 9-year-old son of Royal Anthem, who won the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Santa Anita in 2009 and finished a close second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) shortly after, has not been in the winner’s circle since he took the Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream in February of 2010.

After a trip to Dubai in March last year, he returned to run seventh in the Monmouth Stakes, and then was sent to the farm for two months. His most recent starts have been less than noteworthy, and he carried his speed only six furlongs last out in the Sunshine Millions Turf on Jan. 29, finishing fifth at Santa Anita.

“He didn’t run well in California,” Hartmann said. “We brought him to Florida and he had some minor laser surgery on his throat. Everything’s been good with him since then.

“We want to run him in the U.N.,” Hartmann said. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to get a prep into him or not. The Monmouth Stakes (June 12) comes up too quick.

“It all depends on how he’s training. I may have to find something for him to use as a prep,” the trainer said.
Presious Passion has won 14 of his 46 turf starts, including five of 15 at Monmouth, and has earned $1,158,500 of his $2,691,099 career total at this track.

_____________________

May 15, 2011
C C'S PAL GAME WINNER OF MONMOUTH BEACH STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Eric Fein’s C C’s Pal took command out of the gate and dug in gamely in the lane to post a nose victory in the $75,000 Monmouth Beach Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

With Kendrick Carmouche in the irons, C C’s Pal set fractions of :23 3/5 for the quarter and :47 1/5 for the half mile. Successful Song, who stalked the pacesetter, put her head in front inside the eighth pole as Sweet N Sour Nina rallied on the far outside. After a blanket finish, the judges posted C C’s Pal the winner in a time of 1:42 3/5 for the mile and 70 yards over a fast main track.

“She’s a flexible filly,” said winning trainer Derek Ryan. “You can send with her or sit right off the pace. She’s an honest filly and really a trainer’s dream. She’s been stakes placed eight times and is definitely a filly that deserved to get that stakes win.”

C C’s Pal returned $9.60, $4.60 and $2.80 across the board in the field of six fillies and mares. Sweet N Sour Nina completed the $38.80 exacta and paid $3.20 and $2.20. It was another nose back to Successful Song, who returned $2.40 to show.

The Monmouth Beach marked the fourth victory in 19 starts for C C’s Pal, a 4-year-old daughter of Alex’s Pal from the Noactor mare Roca. She has now earned $313,386 for her connections.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Saturday, May 21. Gates will open at 10:00 a.m. for the simulcast of Pimlico’s race card, including the Preakness Stakes, expected to feature Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom.

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

______________________
May 14, 2011
THIS ONES FOR PHIL CAPTURES DECATHLON STAKES AS MONMOUTH PARK OPENS WITH GATE, HANDLE GAINS
Monmouth Park.com

This Ones for Phil captured the featured $75,000 Decathlon Stakes, “Jersey Joe” Bravo won three races, and a crowd of 10,847 enjoyed opening day festivities as Monmouth Park kicked off the 2011 Thoroughbred racing season in winning style on Saturday.

The crowd represented a 5.4 percent increase over opening day of the 2009 meet, and both on-track wagering of $700,796 (up 5.4%), and total betting of $4,534,828 (up 6%) represented strong gains over the 2009 numbers.

“We certainly exceeded all expectations,” said Bob Kulina, vice president and general manager of the racetrack. “To post increases over our 2009 numbers shows our product remains strong.

“No one went into today expecting to compete with last year’s Elite Summer Meet – that was not in the equation,” Kulina said. “What we did show today is that Monmouth Park is a top destination on the Jersey Shore, and an attractive wagering option from coast to coast.”

On opening day in 2009, Monmouth drew 10,292 fans, on-track betting was $664,930, and total wagering for the day was $4,279,438. Last year, Monmouth ran an Elite Summer Meet with purses of $1 million per day that was a smashing success for its 50-day run.

In the six-furlong Decathlon Stakes, This Ones for Phil charged into command at the top of the stretch, opened a clear lead, and then withstood the late charge of Wildcat Brief for a length and a quarter victory. Awesome Son, who set the pace to the stretch, finished third, six and a half lengths farther back.

It was the second win of the day for trainer Tony Dutrow, and the third for Bravo, who jumped off to a great start as he seeks his 14^th Monmouth riding title.

This Ones for Phil, owned by Pompa, Mandato & Dubb, sprinted the six furlongs in 1:09 3/5 and paid $4.20, $3 and $2.40 across the board as the favorite in the field of five.

Wildcat Brief, second choice at 2-1, paid $2.60 and $2.20 and completed the $12.40 exacta. Awesome Son returned $2.60 to show.

This was the first start in more than a year for This Ones for Phil, a 5-year-old son of Untuttable, who won stakes in 2009 and 2010.

“Whatever ailments he had seem to be behind him now,” said Dutrow. “I was impressed, but not surprised. This is a really nice horse. We’ll keep him short – six, seven furlongs. This should set him up nicely for the True North (Belmont, June 11).”

Bravo, who won the seventh race on the Dutrow-trained All of the Above and the sixth race on the Todd Pletcher-trained Turbo Compressor, said, “My instructions were to enjoy myself because I was on the best horse. I don’t think he ran his best race today off the long layoff, and still ended up running 1:09 3/5 on a track that wasn’t that fast.”

Bravo has won 13 riding titles at Monmouth, but has not finished in the top spot since 2007.
______________________

May 14, 2011

NJ Track Leases Approved, But Issues Remain
By Tom LaMarra, Bloodhorse.com

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has signed off on lease agreements for Monmouth Park and Meadowlands effective June 1, but pressing issues remain.

Christie, a Republican, made the announcement May 12 after a meeting with the lessees—Morris Bailey for Monmouth and Jeff Gural for Meadowlands. The governor touted the agreements in a statement.

“I was determined to bring this deal home,” Christie said. “There are many beneficiaries. We’re saving a New Jersey tradition with the continuation of live horse racing at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park; we are saving and creating jobs; and we are helping to preserve New Jersey farmland and a way of life for many people, from horse farm owners and employees, to jockeys to racing enthusiasts.”

The governor’s office, however, noted the lease agreements “are subject to the executive of formal contracts, formal board approvals, and other regulatory approvals.”

In the case of Monmouth, which begins its 2011 meet May 14 under the auspices of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, Bailey and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association must agree upon a revised racing schedule.

By law Monmouth was awarded 141 days of live racing, but given projected purses of about $400,000 per day, that appears unlikely. The governor’s office said Monmouth will “run a reduced slate of racing days for 2011, similar to the 2010 racing schedule” even though the New Jersey THA hasn’t publicly stated it has signed off on that plan.

Bailey also must strike deals with various unions that represent Monmouth employees. And Thoroughbred horsemen want to ensure they receive a healthy cut of revenue from any handle on Thoroughbred races at Meadowlands.

“I’m excited by the fact that we are completing a transaction that will bring about a new era for horse racing in New Jersey and Monmouth Park,” Bailey said in a statement. “I want to thank all of the parties involved, especially Gov. Christie and his staff and the Thoroughbred horsemen, for working so diligently to meet the challenges we confronted.

“With what we are accomplishing, we are creating one of the premiere race tracks in the country that will provide an attractive and exciting atmosphere to appeal to established horse racing fans and, I believe, the broader public.”

Meanwhile, the New Jersey THA sent a letter to Freehold Raceway May 10 stating the harness track, located about a half-hour from Monmouth, wouldn’t be able to offer the Monmouth signal or signals from other Thoroughbred tracks effective May 14. Freehold, owned by Penn National Gaming Inc. and Greenwood Racing, has imported the Monmouth signal for roughly five years.

There are legal ramifications, including a statewide racing participation agreement. New Jersey, like Ohio, mandates any signals received by a wagering outlet must be available to all outlets in the state or no facility gets them.

The NJSEA on May 13 told Freehold that it would send the Monmouth signal to the harness track.
Meadowlands reopened for live harness racing May 7 after Gural struck a deal with the mutuel tellers’ union. He ultimately plans to build a smaller, modern grandstand where the barn area is located in an effort to bring the track back to profitability.

“The deal that we’ve reached together will be good for the taxpayers, good for horse racing, and great for the Meadowlands,” Gural said. “I look forward to returning the Meadowlands to its former glory and preeminent position in horse racing in the United States.”

Interestingly Bailey and Gural have gaming ties in a state that so far has rejected racetrack-based gaming. Bailey is part owner of Resorts Casino Atlantic City in New Jersey, while Gural operates two New York harness tracks with video lottery terminals.

Both men will be responsible for all track operations, including full-card simulcasts, operation of off-track wagering facilities and expansion of the OTW network, and an in-state advance deposit wagering system. The governor’s office said Bailey and Gural would work together on developing the OTW network; only three of an authorized 15 parlors have been built, two of them by private operators.

Bailey will get the lucrative Woodbridge Township OTW facility. Gural plans to build one in Bayonne, not far from Meadowlands.

_____________________

May 13, 2011
PANTS ON FIRE READY TO START TRAINING TOWARD HASKELL
Monmouth Park.com

 
George and Lori Hall’s Pants on Fire, who finished ninth as the second choice (8-1) in the May 7 Kentucky Derby, is ready to resume training, Kelly Breen said Friday, and may come back to the track as soon as Saturday. 

The 3-year-old colt by Jump Start, who won the Louisiana Derby (G2) to punch his ticket for Louisville, bled during the running of the Kentucky Derby, and was never able to show his best form. 

Breen said Pants on Fire now will be pointed for the $175,000 Long Branch Stakes on July 9 as his prep for the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) on Sunday, July 31. 

______________________

May 12, 2011
JOEY P. GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER SEASONAL DEBUT AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com
 
He’s 9-years-old now, but John Petrini’s Joey P. looks as good as ever as he prepares for another Monmouth debut, the eighth straight of his career.

The dark bay son of Close Up long ago outran his modest New Jersey breeding to become one of the most popular horses ever to run at Monmouth Park. Since he started running here in August of 2004, Joey P. has compiled a record of 13-7-1 in 27 starts over the track, earning $733,141 of his $1,063,667 career total here.

When Joey P. (with Jersey Joe Bravo up, naturally) won at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 14, it marked the eighth straight year that he’s won at least one race, a remarkable feat in this modern racing era.

“He’s doing great again,” said trainer Ben Perkins Jr., who stands in awe of the old gelding. “He’ll work five-eighths here tomorrow (Friday) with Bravo up, to get him ready for the Reilly (the $65,000 John J. Reilly Handicap for New Jersey-breds on Saturday, May 28).

“He’s always been such a big, strong horse,” Perkins said, “but we can see the physical difference in him now that he’s 9. We have to do things a little differently with him than we did before.

“That race he won in Florida was exciting, but it took a lot out of him. We ran him back a month later, and you could see he was still knocked out.

“But he’s still a really competitive horse, and we’ll let him tell us what his schedule will be this year,” the trainer said.

______________
May 12, 2011
AWESOME SON TOPS 7 IN DECATHLON STAKES SATURDAY
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth kicks off its 66^th season of Thoroughbred action Saturday with the $75,000 Decathlon Stakes for older horses as the feature, and Daniel J. Ljoka’s Awesome Son looks like he’s ready to be in front the entire six furlongs.

The 4-year-old son of Sapling winner Pure Precision, trained by Tim Kelly, broke his maiden here as a 2-year-old in 2009, and last year won a claiming race and a very competitive allowance event in front-running fashion.

The only question would seem to be his readiness to start after being on the sidelines since last July. But Kelly has no reservations about that.

“He’s ready right now,” the trainer said with no “buts” in his voice. “He doesn’t need a race to be at his best. He was working lights-out at Gulfstream, and he’s working the same way here.”

Awesome Son will likely be third choice in the betting Saturday, behind This Ones for Phil and Wildcat Brief, who hold a class edge over Kelly’s runner. But both those runners are coming back after long layoffs and might not be able to catch a dedicated front-runner.

“The only thing I could ask for is a little rain,” Kelly said. “A muddy track would really give my horse an edge.”

Awesome Son won three straight last year – two at Monmouth and a stakes race at Penn National – but hasn’t raced since July 31.

“We had him sold,” Kelly said. “But when the buyers vetted him, he had a small chip in his left knee. So we kept him, had the chip taken out and turned him out on the farm in Florida for the winter.

“In April, I brought him to Gulfstream Park, and he’s been training great ever since,” Kelly said. “He’s ready for this.”

Another Monmouth regular with a Decathlon starter is trainer Ben Perkins Jr., who will saddle Wildcat Brief. The 5-year-old son of Forest Wildcat, bred by New Farm, races in the name of Ben Perkins Sr., one of the all-time leading trainers at Monmouth until his retirement a decade ago.

Wildcat Brief, who won the Icecapade Stakes here last September and finished third in the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont on Oct. 2, has not been out since he finished fifth in the Bold Ruler Stakes last Oct. 30.

“We kept him up north all winter,” Perkins said, “and with all the bad weather, his training got a little backed up. But he’s been doing great recently, especially since he got to Monmouth.

“Of course, you always want another work before they start, but he’s ready to roll,” Perkins said.

____________________

May 11, 2011
89 HORSES ENTERED FOR SATURDAY'S 11-RACE MONMOUTH OPENER; WILDCAT BRIEF TOPS OPENING DAY'S DECATHLON STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth Park opens this Saturday, May 14, with an 11-race program attracting a total of 89 entries.   

Topping Saturday’s card is the $75,000 Decathlon Stakes for three year olds and upward, which attracted seven entrants, including Ben Perkins Sr.’s Wildcat Brief, a stakes winner last summer at Monmouth Park. 

The six furlong Decathlon is the first of this year’s stakes events, which includes 15 graded races.  Centerpiece of Monmouth’s summer as always will be the $1 million Haskell Invitational, which has its 44^th running on Sunday, July 31.  Monmouth’s Grade 1 turf race, the $750,000 United Nations Stakes, will highlight Fourth of July weekend when it is renewed for the 58^th time on Saturday, July 2. 

Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. and first post is set for 12:50 p.m. every day except Haskell Day, July 31, when the gates open at 10 a.m. and first post will be 12 noon.          

Wildcat Brief, a 5-year-old by Forest Wildcat, enters the Decathlon off six months rest.  Following his win in the Icecapade at Monmouth on Sept. 5, 2010, he went on to finish third in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont and then fifth in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler on Oct. 30.  Jockey C. H. Marquez Jr. has the call on Wildcat Brief, who is trained by the owner’s son, Ben Perkins Jr. 

__________________

May 11, 2011

PLACE PICK SIX MARKS NEW WAGER AT MONMOUTH PARK; FOLLOWS ON HEELS OF WILDLY-POPULAR PICK 5

Monmouth Park.com

 
OCEANPORT, N.J. – A new season, a new wager.  Monmouth Park kicks off the 2011 racing schedule on Saturday, May 14, and the opener will feature a new bet – the Place Pick Six. 

A 50-cent base wager, the Place Pick Six will be offered on races four through nine daily with a 15% takeout.  A winning ticket will have correctly selected a horse that finishes first OR second in those races. 

“It’s a great way to appeal to casual fans and serious horseplayers alike,” said Bill Knauf, assistant general manager at Monmouth.  “We’re always looking for new and innovative wagers that are appealing.  With a 15% takeout rate on our Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6, we’re providing fans with a low-cost, high-reward handicapping option on the entire Monmouth card.”  

The Place Pick Six will have a carryover provision.  If no one has a winning combination, then 25% of the pool will be paid out to those who have the most winning combinations.  The remaining 75% of the pool will be carried over to the following day’s Place Pick Six. 

In 2007, Monmouth debuted the 50-cent Pick 5, which has become extremely popular at racetracks across the country.  The Pick 5 is set for races six through 10 daily. 

Monmouth will continue to offer the Pick 4 (races two through five and the last four races on each card).  For 2011, the Pick 4 has a new base of 50 cents, down from $1 last season.  The Pick 4 and Pick 5 both have carryover provisions. 

___________________________
May 11, 2011
FRANK COSTA 2011 RECIPIENT OF BUDDY RAINES AWARD; HASKELL VICTOR LOOKIN AT LUCKY TO HALL OF CHAMPIONS
Monmouth Park.com

The 2011 recipient of the Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award, trainer Frank Costa, joins a distinguished roster of Raines Award recipients whose conduct has been exemplary for professionalism, integrity and service to Thoroughbred racing.

Costa, a native of Spilanga, Italy, has been a fixture on the New Jersey racing circuit.  An ex-jockey who won with his first mount in 1953 at Gulfstream Park, Costa was victorious with his first starter as a trainer at the Jersey Shore oval in 1972.

“Frank has been a longtime member of the New Jersey racing community,” said Bob Kulina, vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park. “His dedication to the sport and Monmouth Park undoubtedly makes him the perfect recipient of the Raines Award.”

In 2005, Costa conditioned New Jersey star Joey P. to victory in the Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Handicap as well as a start in the Haskell Invitational.  In 2007, Costa won the John McSorley Stakes with Johns Pic and again in 2010 with General Perfect.

The late Buddy Raines, for whom the award is named, was one of racing’s most venerable figures and was a regular at Monmouth before his retirement. Raines trained horses for 65 years, and won the 1962 Preakness with Greek Money.

Lookin At Lucky, who electrified Monmouth Park with his victory in last season’s Haskell Invitational (G1) is this year’s inductee to the Monmouth Park Hall of Champions

The son of Smart Strike, owned by the partnership of Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman, took a huge step toward the 3-year-old title with his Haskell victory, which followed his score in the Preakness Stakes. The bay colt was also 2-year-old champion of 2009.

Lookin At Lucky gives trainer Bob Baffert a quartet in the Hall of Champions.  Baffert’s first horse to enter was Silverbulletday in 2000, followed by Point Given in 2002 and War Emblem in 2003.

Opened in 1986 and located on the first floor of the Grandstand, the Hall of Champions honors the best horses ever to compete at Monmouth Park.  The latest inductee, Lookin At Lucky, will join his fellow Hall of Champions members when his banner is hoisted on opening day of the 2011 season.
 

___________________________

May 11, 2011
MONMOUTH PARK EVENTS CALENDAR BRINGS FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE TO OCEANPORT TRACK IN 2011
Monmouth Park.com

The 66^th season of Thoroughbred racing at Monmouth Park is set to kick off on Saturday, May 14 featuring a wide variety of family-orientated festival events to complement what promises to be another action-packed season of live racing. 

Courtesy of The Star-Ledger, Monmouth Park will again play host to free family fun days 12:00 to 4:00 pm every Sunday from May 29 to Labor Day – featuring pony rides, clowns, face painters, a bounce house, live music and more. 

“We’re very excited about our 2011 events calendar,” said Pete Verdee, Monmouth Park’s Vice President of Marketing.  “The festivals and promotions we have planned for this year should combine to create one of the most affordable family destinations on the Jersey Shore.  Everyone is looking forward to seeing the return of events like the Shore Chef Crab Cake Cook-Off as well as new events such as the Irish Festival and Blues at the Park Cajun Cookout.”   

The Star-Ledger also sponsors the Great Destinations Travel Show taking place on Opening Day, Saturday, May 14.  All fans in attendance receive free Grandstand or half-price Clubhouse admission. 

Fans can watch and wager on the Preakness Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday, May 21.  The second leg of the Triple Crown is a mandatory race in that day’s $50 Handicapping Contest.  Call 732-571-5636 or log-on to www.monmouthpark.com for more information. 

The Munchmobile Hot Dog and Burger Showdown kicks off the 2011 festival schedule at Monmouth Park on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29.  Featuring brats, burgers and beer, the hot dog showdown is sponsored by The Star-Ledger.  Sunday’s festivities also include the first free family fun day of the 2011 season.   

A special day of live racing on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, includes a free handicapping seminar by renowned handicapper Jim Mazur beginning at 11 am in the Monmouth Café.  All in attendance receive a free Monmouth Park Handicapper ($29.95 value).   

Memorial Day also features the first “Miller Lite Grandstand Pass Giveaway” of 2011, providing free admission throughout the month of June.   

Honor America’s veterans on Saturday, June 4 at Armed Forces.  Free admission and general parking with valid military ID. 

Win a berth in the 2012 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship in the $200 Monmouth/Woodbine Handicapping Championship on Sunday, June 5. 

A new festival comes to Monmouth Park on Sunday, June 12 as the 41^st annual NJ Irish Festival comes to Oceanport.  Previously celebrated at the home of the Lakewood Blueclaws, the Irish Festival features great food, drink and entertainment.  Go to www.nj-irishfestival.com.   

Bring Dad to Father’s Day at the track and enter to win tickets to his favorite local sports teams on Sunday, June 19.   

Monmouth Park’s “Win and Wine Weekend” returns for its second year on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26.  Both days feature premier local wines, while Sunday offers a “Miller Lite Grandstand Pass Giveaway” for the month of July and family fun day activities. 

The month of July kicks off with a 3-day holiday weekend highlighted by United Nations Day and a Monmouth Park beach mat giveaway on Saturday, July 2.  Watch the country’s best marathon turfers and dirt milers take to the Monmouth Park oval as they compete in the United Nations and Salvator Mile, respectively. 

All holiday weekend long, get jockey autographs and purchase racing memorabilia in support of the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund.  In addition, a special live racing card on Monday, July 4 will feature free family fun day activities. 

The Haskell Classic Car Show returns to Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 10 with over 150 golden oldies on display.  In addition, New Jersey radio legend Big Joe Henry will broadcast his NJ 101.5’s Favorite Hits Show live. 

On Saturday, July 16, Monmouth Park will host the Blues at the Park & Cajun Cook-Out for the first time, featuring Shemekia Copeland, Robert Cray and Jonny Lang.  Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com. 

Music takes center stage on Sunday, July 24 as the Vans Warped Tour returns for its third year at Monmouth Park.  Tickets for the Warped Tour will be available at ticketmaster.com.  All race attendees on Sunday receive free Grandstand admission and general parking. 

Send off July with a relaxing afternoon at the Heineken Cigar Luncheon on Saturday, July 30.  Cigars, a lunch buffet, and more are included in the $100 ticket.  Call 732-571-5636 for details.  August’s free “Miller Lite Grandstand Pass” is available with paid admission, while supply lasts. 

The biggest day of the summer occurs Sunday, July 31 as the $1 million Haskell Invitational hosts the country’s best 3-year-olds.  Arrive early to receive a commemorative Haskell Hat with paid admission.  Play the $250,000 guaranteed Pick 4 and $100,000 guaranteed Pick 5 on the stakes-studded card.  Gates open 10 am, first race 12 noon. 

Help support ReRun on Sunday, August 14 by running a mile on the track before the day’s races.  Call 732-571-5636 for more information.   

One of Monmouth Park’s most successful events, the Shore Chef Crab Cake Cook-Off, returns Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21.  Sample some of New Jersey’s best seafood prepared by the Shore’s greatest chefs. 

The summer’s biggest handicapping contest takes place on Saturday, August 27.  The top three finishers in the $300 contest qualify for the 2012 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. 

Help support pediatric brain cancer research on Sunday, August 28 at the Kortney’s Challenge 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk.  Race attendees will receive a “Miller Lite Grandstand Pass” valid for free Grandstand admission during September.  For runner information, please visit kortneyrosefoundation.org. 

The BBQ & Craft Beer Festival returns on Saturday, September 3 and Sunday, September 4.  Sponsored by The Star-Ledger, this event features seasonal and specialty beers from top breweries as well as some of the area’s premier barbeque.  Beer garden admission is $10 for ten 2-ounce samples. 

Sunday, September 4 and Monday, September 5 feature the final family fun days of 2011. 
The final festival of the 2011 season, the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival and backpack giveaway, is scheduled for Saturday, September 17. 

The following day, the top two finishers in the $200 Monmouth/Woodbine Handicapping Contest earn a berth in the 2012 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. 

Monmouth Park’s Oktoberfest celebration is back for its second year and will be held on Sunday, September 25. 
Post time for the 2011 meet is 12:50 pm – gates open at 11:30 am.  As always, Grandstand admission is $3; seniors $2, while Clubhouse admission is $5; seniors $3. 

___________________________
April 18, 2011
HORSES ARRIVE FOR 2011 MONMOUTH MEET; OPENING DAY SET FOR MAY 14
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Carrying a trio of horses from the Gregg Sacco barn, the first van rolled through the Monmouth Park stable gate at 6:25 am, officially kicking off the training season for the 2011 meet.

“It’s good to be home,” said Sacco, a third generation horsemen who captured 20 races last season at Monmouth.  “We’ll have a full barn again this year and hope to duplicate last year’s success.”

Among those returning to the Sacco barn in 2011 is Unbridled Essence, winner of last year’s Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes on Haskell Day.

“I’m sure she’ll be glad to be back here,” Sacco said.  “She just doesn’t like Florida, for whatever reason.

“We’ll have a good mix of horses this year – stakes runners, 2-year-olds, allowance horses.  I’m just glad to be back and look forward to another great year at Monmouth.”

Other early arrivals on Monday included horses from the Henry Carroll barn as well as a string from the Chuck Spina camp.

As always, Monmouth’s stable area will be at capacity as 1,600 horses will call the Oceanport backstretch their home.

The 2011 racing season gets underway on Saturday, May 14.  As always, the meet will be highlighted by the $1 million Haskell Invitational, set for Sunday, July 31.  Other graded stakes highlights include the United Nations Stakes on July 2, the Iselin on Aug. 20, and the Molly Pitcher on Aug. 28.
 

__________________________________________

CREATED AND MAINTAINED BY TOWNSEND RACING ENTERPRISES

©2000-2011 Oceanport Racing Report.com.  All rights reserved.