It was a hot, steamy day at Monmouth, but that didn't stop almost 5,000 from coming out to the Oceanport oval and wagering over $3,000,000, eclipsing last year's figure on that same day. I was there, and called a bunch of races from the grandstand into a tape recorder. If anyone wants to hear them, let me know in the comments.
Anyway, here's what happened:
Race 1 (Acrostic, Jorge Navarro-Orlando Bocachica. 1:11.4)
The card began auspiciously, as O'Lucey clipped heels a few strides out of the gate and tossed Sammy Camacho. No word on Camacho's condition from this camp, but he was off his mount in the fifth race. She clipped heels with my pick, Sexy Maddie, who never did anything in that race. I wonder if she may have been hurt at the start.
Anyway, heavily favored Acrostic went straight to the front, brushed off a challenge from first-timer Shore Points South on the turn, and drew away to score easily. That was not a bad debut from Shore Points South, who looked hopelessly beat at the 3/8 pole, but re-rerallied and actually managed to take a short lead in the stretch, before being dismissed once again by Acrostic. For a cheap maiden claimer, Shore Points South's debut was pretty good.
Race 2 (Fava, Roy Lerman-Paco Lopez, 1:43.1)
Why did Inoel Beato feel the need to have Starship Gambler set a :22 opening quarter? Who knows? Because of that effort, she quickly stopped, and Fava's three-wide rally was parlayed into a solid score. Precious Paula was two-wide most of the way and looked as if she could pull of a big upset, but couldn't keep up with Fava's move.
Race 3 (Checkupfromzneckup, Rudy Rodriguez-Ruben Silvera, 1:36.4)
It was a good ride from Ruben Silvera, who pressed the leader Lil Honey Badger, and then took over when her rival faded. Her heart took over from there, holding off determined closer Savings Account for the last 1/4 mile to hold on for the victory.
By the way, I bet Lil Honey Badger, who was 6/5, as opposed to Checkupfromzneckup, who was 2/1, despite the fact I said on paper that the two were similar in ability. An important part of being a good bettor is knowing how to bet in such situations, which is something I have to improve on.
Race 4 (Flashy Zee, Allen Iwinski-Andre Worrie, 1:11.1)
Smart move by Andre Worrie in here, as he took his mount off the pace while 1/5 Arnhem set a clear pace. However, Arnhem tore through a middle quarter in :22.4, enabling Flashy Zee to overtake the big favorite and draw off easily. Had Flashy Zee been allowed to duel with the leader, she may have stopped badly. But, because Worrie kept her off the lead, she was able to let the favorite tire herself out. Good move!
Race 5 (Bazinga Rules, Tim Shaw-Angel Serpa, 1:42.2)
There were strange moves by both Palace Gate and Stirling Castle, who felt the need to try and pressure the early leader Sunbio, causing them to lose a ton of ground on the backstretch. Bazinga Rules, meanwhile, was taken to the inside, angled a bit wide in the stretch, and overtook the leaders. Between this 16/1 winner and the upset of an odds-on favorite, the early pick 5 paid more than $6,000 for 50 cents.
Race 6 (Cherokee Colours, Charles Harvatt-Abel Castellano, 1:38.3)
A strangely run race, with Cho Time and North Ocean getting into a big speed duel going around the first turn. North Ocean then conceded the lead to Cho Time, who promptly tired and gave the lead to North Ocean on the turn. Cherokee Colours, however, stalked those two leaders, and rolled past them to win it.
Race 7 (Ride This Train, Eddie Plesa-Paco Lopez, 1:12.3)
Bank Fraud looked like he would break his maiden in impressive style, holding off all challenges and turning for home clear. The well-bet first time starter, Ride This Train, rallied down the center of the track, and got up late to spoil the party. The molasses-like final quarter indicates that nobody in this field is all that great.
Race 8 (Discreet Concorde, Terri Pompay-Gabriel Saez, 1:43.4)
Discreet Concorde slid up the inside going down the backstretch, angled to rally four-wide around the turn, and drew off to score rather easily. I liked her, too, but liked Luckystrikedelcoco more. The winner paid $13.80, while my pick was off the board at 4/5. You gotta adjust sometimes...
Race 9 (Barrister Jim, Rudy Rodriguez-Joe Bravo, 1:43.2)
Barrister Jim took the early lead and never looked back for his sixth straight victory. You gotta love hard-knocking horses like that.
The race had a strange beginning, as Trevor McCarthy lost his footing on favored Secretive and pulled him up going around the first turn. Weird times.
Race 10 (All About Yasom, Joe Orseno-Wilmer Garcia, :56.0)
It was a perfect set-up for All About Yasom, who watched Jersey Jet and Lucky Year duel, then rolled by them with a big three-wide move to win it. Couldn't have scripted it any better.
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