More than 15,000 fans came out for the Irish Festival over at Monmouth, on an absolutely gorgeous day for racing. Handle was down by about $57,000 compared to last year's Monmouth Stakes day, but that can be attributable to the fact that there were 9 horses in this year's running, as opposed to 14 last year. Regardless, it was still a great day to watch and wager on Monmouth. Here's how it went down.
Race 1 (Hereosaurus Rex, Dimitrios Synnefias-Edwin Gonzalez, 1:11.3)
Anyone who bet Hereosaurus Rex at 3/5 in the first race probably felt pretty good coming around the turn, as unlike last time, he didn't get a ton of pace pressure, and the rating Kovarro was hanging. However, No Brody No came flying on the inside, and Naughty Delite was rallying strongly on the outside, and the wire came just in time for Hereosaurus Rex. Both of the two closers are ones to watch next time--after all, it's not every day that you see horses closing in a cheap maiden claiming.
Race 2 (Reinademisamores, Patricia Farro-Ramon Moya, 1:11.4)
Reinademisamores had the dream trip, rating off a four-way speed duel, and angling wide in the two-path to draw away to an easy score. Among all the duelers, Exclusive Symphony ran the best race, dueling on the inside and hanging in there for the decent third. The other three on the pace finished 6th, 8th, and 9th, respectively.
Race 3 (Bustin Out, Chuck Spina-Jose Ferrer, 1:10.2)
Just to illustrate Bustin Out's dominance over the rest of the field, the second-place finisher, Fakery, finished 12 lengths ahead of third-place Pop Start. And Bustin Out was 4 lengths in front of her, without being asked at all. It was just way, way too easy. Will we see her in open company next out?
Race 4 (Quarla, James Klesaris-Inoel Beato, 1:38.0)
Just Like Kaki had a great trip, gliding along on an easy lead, and began to kick away as they turned for home. Unfortunately for her, both Quarla and first-timer Omi One began flying on the outside. Quarla was the one who prevailed, but for a first-time starter, Omi One did not run badly. Watch for her next time--she's a candidate to improve.
Race 5 (Havana Julie, Jamie Ness-Trevor McCarthy, 1:10.4)
34/1 Rockette Jet was allowed a clear lead--even Scuba Sue, from post 1, could have had the lead, but was taken off the pace to allow Rockette Jet to the front. Havana Julie, however, rallied three-wide after sitting in the two-path, and drew away to score. My pick, Ryabinka, sat a great trip on the inside and made what looked like a winning three-wide move, but just stopped. No excuses for her this time.
Race 6 (Neoclassic, Marcus Vitali-Orlando Bocachica, 1:43.2)
Neoclassic ran a gutsy one here, being hung wide the whole way around and fighting late with rail leader Acini de Pepe. He got up and won by 3/4 of a length as much the best. He paid $5.80--not great, but fair, given his credentials before the race.
Race 7 (Awesome Elle, David Jacobson-Andre Worrie, 1:11.2)
There were three unbelievable things about this race:
1. A Jacobson-Worrie horse paid $35.60 to win.
2. The closing rally by Dramatic Pegasus, who rallied from sixteen lengths out of it to miss by only a length. I'll tell you, I was practice-calling this race, and I completely dismissed Dramatic Pegasus at the 3/8 pole. Of course, she made a furious rally late. This will be a fun filly to watch next time.
3. A JACOBSON-WORRIE HORSE PAID $35.60 TO WIN!!!!!!!!!
You'll probably see ten more Triple Crown winners before that happens again.
Race 8 (Dreamsgonewild, Bruce Alexander-Trevor McCarthy, 1:02.1)
Dreamsgonewild wins the John McSorley Stakes by running a great race--he dueled on the inside with Botas, then brushed him off to draw away easily. Two Notch Road--who I remember winning the 2009 Continental Mile at 99/1 odds--finished third. Heavily favored Buster Rose was a complete non-factor and finished a non-threatening fifth.
Race 9 (Love Came to Town, Kevin Sleeter-Elvis Trujillo, 1:10.1)
I know I said that this race was between Love Came to Town and Read All About It, but the public bet this one as if it was a one-horse race, making Love Came to Town 4/5. She ran like it, too, winning by seven easy lengths. Read All About It scored second at a generous 5/1, and the exacta came back $11.20 for $2.
Race 10 (Doc Almon, David Jacobson-Trevor McCarthy, 1:09.2)
Weekend Hideaway, off the class drop, was bet down to an irrationally low 3/5. About a quarter of a mile into the race, he jumped a shadow, took a bad step, and was pulled up. No word on his condition, but hopefully, he's OK.
As to the race itself, Classic Salsa and Oliver Zip dueled with each other, enabling my pick, 13/1 Isthmus, to get a beautiful trip in that garden spot off the duel. Isthmus, unfortunately, was not good enough to take advantage, as Doc Almon rallied from the back of the pack to beat everybody.
Race 11 (Triple Threat, Bill Mott-Jose Lezcano, 1:49.4)
The seventh running of the Monmouth Stakes was a thriller, as Triple Threat and Middleburg battled with each other the whole way down the stretch, with the French invader narrowly prevailing on the inside. I would imagine the top two out of this race will be aimed at the United Nations, and a clash with Main Sequence, so let's hope that materializes. In fact, Triple Threat fits Main Sequence's profile at this time last year--a mildly accomplished European shipping in and winning at Monmouth Park. Lightning strikes twice sometimes, I guess.
Race 12 (Bea Wildcat, Marcus Vitali-Orlando Bocachica, 1:40.3)
It was over pretty quickly, as Bea Wildcat was sent to the early lead, and shook off challenges from both The Snickers Kid and Saratoga Boot to win it. The twelve in here were spread out over 38 1/4 lengths.
That wraps up the weekend at Monmouth. Hope everyone made some money--and were able to enjoy history.
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