More than 8,000 people came out to Monmouth today, as handle was up about $32,000 compared to the equivalent day last year. Here's how the card went down:
Race 1 (Pelekas Beach, Cathal Lynch-Victor Carrero, 1:12.2)
Rocket Man Richie looked as if he would be much the best, as he dueled in the three-path the whole way and started to draw off in the stretch. However, Pelekas Beach--who was in the two-path on the pace--re-rallied on the inside and got up for an improbable score. I can't tell if this was because Pelekas Beach had a ton of heart, or if Rocket Man Richie just stopped abruptly. Probably a combination of both.
Race 2 (Our Hazel, Douglas Nunn-Navin Mangalee, 1:06.3)
It was one of the more painfully sluggish loads we've seen so far this season, as both Roman Sister and Our Hazel displayed a complete and utter disdain for wanting to load into the gate. Roman Sister did not display any interest in racing today, but Our Hazel did, sitting well off the pace, rallying up the rail, and getting up to score. Lots of credit must be given to Twist and Turn, who held on well in her first career start. At this level next out, she'll be one to consider.
Race 3 (Boss's Rules, Pat Marrotta-Nik Juarez, 1:11.4)
Boss's Rules was a standout on paper, and ran like it, stalking the pace, drawing alongside leader Flashy Brass, and drawing off to a ridiculously easy six-length score to give Nik Juarez his first win of the meet. There was a brief objection, as Flashy Brass had to take up coming around the turn, but the stewards correctly ruled that it didn't matter, as Boss's Rules could've won if she was running through a swamp.
Race 4 (Dirty Blonde, Dimitrios Synnefias-Edwin Gonzalez, 1:46.2)
Idontknowgoaskanni was a bettable price for most of the wagering, before going down to a soberingly realistic even money. She was wide almost the entire way around, was asked to go at the 3/8 pole, and then started to drop back. The winner, Dirty Blonde, sat a beautiful trip stalking the leader, drew past leader Sandbag in the stretch, and had to withstand a re-rally from Idontknowgoaskanni. Had Anni not been so wide throughout, one wonders if she would have won. Watch her next time if she draws further inside.
Race 5 (Heaven Help Me, Jane Cibelli-Florent Geroux, 1:42.1)
It was tough luck for anyone who bet Ginny G in this race, as she refused to leave the starting gate. Because there was no outside interference from anyone in the field, it was just a case of "too bad" for anyone who bet her.
It was also "too bad" if you bet Love That Kelly, who was an irrationally low 4/5, set a clear, no-excuse pace, only to get beat by Heaven Help Me, who had a beautiful rail run and shot through the first opening she saw late for the win. Slander was behind horses on the turn, rallied wide, and got up for second.
Race 6 (North Ocean, David Jacobson-Andre Worrie, 1:39.3)
People are starting to catch on to the fact that the David Jacobson-Andre Worrie combo means a winner at Monmouth. Unfortunately, they have become so attuned to this that any horse with these two is bound to be unbettable, such as North Ocean, who won this one at 1/2 odds. Keep that in mind on any future horses from this camp.
Race 7 (Cut to Order, Jamie Ness-Nik Juarez, 1:41.0)
I really don't know if the bettors are just really in-tune here at Monmouth, or what, but Cut to Order was bet down to a ridiculously low 4/5, and pulled off the score, getting a clear lead early on and holding off all rivals. That was my fourth winner of the day, plus three seconds so far. When you're hot, you're hot.
Race 8 (Pinkout, Kevin Skeeter-Jose Ferrer, 1:11.4)
There was about a 100% chance that either Love Came to Town or Pinkout would win this race, and it was Pinkout to score, with a hot Jose Ferrer getting the winning ride here. She stalked a speed duel between Cynthia's Fury and Have a Taste, made her move three-wide, and drew off to an easy score. It was a textbook perfect trip.
Race 9 (Thepartyneverends, Todd Pletcher-Abel Castellano, 1:10.4)
A bit of a strangely run race, with Bustin Out being allowed a clear lead and favored Thepartyneverends appearing to drop back. However, Thepartyneverends soon re-rerallied and drew off to an easy score.
Race 10 (Winning Cause, Todd Pletcher-Abel Castellano, 1:32.3)
Pletcher and Castellano do it once again in the Red Bank. Before that, though, Mellow Fellow set a clear early pace, only to get run down late by Heart to Heart. The latter horse looked like a clear winner late, but Winning Cause came flying down the center of the track to get up for the victory. Tough beat for Heart to Heart, who was sitting a great trip stalking the speedster up front.
Race 11 (Legal Laura, Kathleen O'Connell-Jose Ferrer, 1:11.2)
Once Legal Laura was able to grab the lead on the rail, this one was all over, as she drew off to a convincing five length win. Favored Pennymine was extremely disappointing, stalking the pace two-wide, only to completely fold late and wind up last, beaten by 22 lengths.
Race 12 (Total Accounting, Bernardo Sobrazo-Jose Ferrer, 1:12.2)
Jose Ferrer makes it a hat-trick on the day, as he continues to have a tremendous season. I mean, I know it's only three days old, but if he can keep it up, watch out.
As to the race itself, No More Strippers ran way better than I expected, as he dueled with two others early on, and dusted them off. He was caught late by Total Accounting, who rallied three wide and picked up his pieces late.
That wraps up Saturday. Sunday's analysis is coming soon!
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