Monmouth Racing Recap: 7/5/15

Terrific weather and a great card greeted the Monmouth crowd Sunday, as the United Nations Stakes headlined a terrific 12-race program.

Race 1 (Concealedwithakiss, Eddie Plesa-Paco Lopez, 1:11.2)
Concealedwithakiss sat the trip that I was hoping my pick, Just Sisters, would sit. Haunted Vision went out to a fast early lead by herself, and Concealedwithakiss wound up picking up the pieces late. Fiesta Rose also rated off the leader, but couldn't catch Concealedwithakiss, and wound up second.

Race 2 (Ettelson, James Frangella-Jose Ferrer, 1:40.1)
Ausable River looked dangerous coming around the turn in front, but was run down by Brad Thomas pick Ettelson in the final strides. Ausable River sat a great trip, too--he rated just off leader Quiet Danger, then rolled on by once that one tired.

Race 3 (The Comish, Eddie Plesa-Paco Lopez, 1:02.2)
The Comish needed every bit of that 5 1/2 furlong distance to get past Very Colorful, who led almost all the way down the stretch. It was only in one of the last jumps that The Comish managed to get up and score. That makes it two on the day for the Eddie Plesa-Paco Lopez combo.

Race 4 (Saturday Special, Jorge Navarro-Carlos Marquez, 1:37.4)
I love it when races play out just like they project on paper to. Here, Saturday Special rated off the two leaders, then strolled on by once they tired, just like the past performances said they would. Stolen Love, one of the speedsters, hung on alright to finish second.

Race 5 (Delta Outlaw, George Weaver-Irad Ortiz, 1:10.0)
Delta Outlaw may have been the one who broke his maiden here, but give credit to first-timer Park Ranger. He was bet down to favortism at 9/5, made a move up the inside off the fast pace, but couldn't last. Nevertheless, he was well-bet, the race was run in a very fast time, and the pedigree suggests he wants to go long. If he's in at a route next time out, watch for him.
Delta Outlaw, of course, won this one by three lengths in that easy time of 1:10.0, after overtaking front-running One Lucky Step. Both of them ran big, and have to be considered next time.

Race 6 (Ride Ride Ride, John Tammaro-Abel Castellano, 1:44.1)
It was a very easy victory for Ride Ride Ride, but lost in the shuffle of all of that was Cheddar Chub. He was more than 12 lengths back at one point, before making a decent closing rally to get up and score second. Ride Ride Ride, meanwhile, sat a terrific trip. He was off the two leaders, then rolled by them once they folded.

Race 7 (Picozza, Todd Pletcher-Paco Lopez, 1:41.3)
Picozza was off for more than nine months going into this race, but it hardly mattered. Gourmet Delight pounced on the leaders going around the far turn and looked like a clear winner, but Picozza exploded from the back of the pack and won it going away. This horse, if he stays healthy, might wind up being a good one. We'll see.

Race 8 (Bustin Out, Chuck Spina-Jose Ferrer, 1:10.3)
This race featured a star in the making. Bustin Out won this one by only six lengths, but the way she was moving on the far turn, it could've been at least twice that. Jose Ferrer geared her down in the stretch once she opened up a nine-length lead, and cut down on what could've been a much faster time. So far, she's been impressive in her two career wins. We'll see what the future holds for her.

Race 9 (Casual Smile, Chad Brown-Irad Ortiz, 1:43.2)
The Chad Brown on grass angle is usually dangerous. In Monmouth allowance company, it's money. She swooped on the outside to roll past the field and score easily. My Jolie, making her first start in a year, rallied admirably down the stretch to score second. She might be one to watch next time out.

Race 10 (Bradester, Eddie Kenneally-Corey Lanerie, 1:35.1)
I mistakenly thought that this was a two-horse affair: Race Day, who was bet down to 4/5, and Red Vine, who went off at 5/2. Neither one of them pulled off a victory, however. Rather, Bradester dueled with Fabulous Kid going down the backstretch, then brushed him off and drew away easily. Red Vine made up some ground to get second, while Race Day finished a disappointing sixth. That was his first start in three months, however, so I will give him a chance to improve next time out.

Race 11 (Big Blue Kitten, Chad Brown-Joe Bravo, 2:11.4)
This year's United Nations inspired shades of Shake the Bank in 2005 or Presious Passion in 2009. The 129/1 Shining Copper, in the race to serve as a rabbit for Big Blue Kitten, sprinted to a long early lead, and led the way entering the stretch for the final time. Would he be able to pull of a shocker? No. His stablemate, Big Blue Kitten, rallied from the back of the pack to win his second United Nations, and give Monmouth veteran Joe Bravo his first winner in this race.
Favored Main Sequence, meanwhile, was a flat seventh at 8/5. This was his first start since coming back from Dubai; we'll see in his next race if he'll return to form, or if he's spent.

Race 12 (We B Jammin, Greg Sacco-Paco Lopez, 1:11.4)
We B Jammin and Brother Chub were on the pace together, just like last time. While We B Jammin drew off to win by four, Brother Chub ran a much-improved race to finish third. He might be an improving horse, too.