Monmouth Racing Recap: 6/19/15

Warm weather and partly cloudy skies greeted the steeplechasers at Monmouth, which went along with seven flat races.
Note that I will not be doing recaps of the jump races, because there's not much in the way of trip notes. Also, there's no more jumps for the rest of the year, so any analysis of them wouldn't help Monmouth bettors. Anyway...

Race 2 (Momma's Favorite, Kathy Monegon-Daniel Centeno, 1:46.3)
The scratches of both Sonyador and Savanna Breeze made Momma's Favorite a cinch. She was bet down to 3/5 as such. As for the race itself, it was over by the first turn, when Momma's Favorite took a clear early lead. Nobody tried to close, and she won by eleven easy lengths. Royal Cashmere made a mild run at the lead, and finished a clear second.

Race 4 (Broad Rule, Lucia Garibay-Paco Lopez, 1:11.3)
Broad Rule proved much the best in here, rating four-wide down the back stretch, then rallying three-wide around the turn to win it. Pro Prospect, the other main contender was disappointing. He rated in the two-path and made ground late, but proved no match for the winner.

Race 6 (Lewis Henry, Manny Berrios-John Soto, 1:12.0)
It's a shocker to begin the pick 5, as Lewis Henry rated two-wide off the pace, didn't quit, and passed leader Siena Indian for a 75/1 shocker. It was jockey John Soto's first winner of the season, in his 35th try. Also noteworthy in defeat were Siena Indian, who had to be hustled for the lead, finally cleared at the 1/2 mile pole, but wilted at the 1/8. Gottcha Blessin was wide the entire way around, but still rallied to score second at 16/1 odds.

Race 7 (Wolfie, Greg Sacco-Nik Juarez, :54.0)
Wolfie stalked speedy longshot Sweet Cookie, then blew past her once she faded for an easy win. It was a disappointing effort for Candystand, who was no threat whatsoever at 2/1 odds. So far, Kelly Breen has not been clicking with his two-year-olds. We'll see if that changes.

Race 8 (Arissa, Bobby Dibona-Joe Bravo, 1:44.4)
I said that if Arissa got a more-ground saving trip, she'll win it. "Shore" enough, she wasn't quite as wide as she was last time, and she ran away to an easy victory. Unfortunately, she was only 6/5, because bettors aren't as stupid as I think sometimes. Still, a winner is a winner.

Race 9 (First Spark, Todd Pletcher-Joe Bravo, 1:41.4)
Back-to-back wins for Joe Bravo on this card, as First Spark made a gradual rally to draw off and win easily.

Race 10 (Pagan Ora, John Tammaro-Carlos Marquez, 1:53.0)
A three-way speed duel up front between Kid Gavlian, Shylock, and Cavity set this race up for a closer. Even though Cavity hung on well, it was 9/1 Pagan Ora who rallied on the outside and won it by a 1/2 length. That set it up for a pick 5 and Jersey Shore 6 carryover.