Who knew that Eatontown Handicap day was such a draw for bettors? Today marked a season-high handle, of $5,693,357. And, despite less-than-great weather, 8,013 people showed up, only a smidge less than last year's beautiful weather figure of 8,032. Good stuff!
Race 1 (Awesome Slew, Eddie Plesa-Paco Lopez, :58.3)
Awesome Slew was indeed awesome on debut. He dueled with leading Not So Quiet Man, brushed him away, then held off the challenge of perfect-trip Remarkable Tale. It was a big effort for the Plesa colt, who stopped the clock in :58.3. I'd like to see him in the Sanford at Saratoga next.
Race 2 (Keepin it Zeal, Dimitrios Synnefias-Wilmer Garcia, 1:11.3)
Jimmy Connors looked like a "shore"fire winner going around the turn, as Rocket Man Richie was flattening out, and Keepin it Zeal appeared to be fading on the rail. Keepin it Zeal, however, re-rerallied on the inside to upset the heavy favorite. Even though I didn't have that winner, I still don't know why people thought betting Jimmy Connors at 3/5 was a good idea. Who would do that?
Race 3 (Pop Start, Jason Servis-Gabriel Saez, 1:12.1)
It was the first disqualification of a winner all season, and of course it came at my expense. I said pre-race that Fakery couldn't lose, and she didn't, crossing the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front. This was after brushing off two rivals who came up to challenge for the lead on her outside. Unfortunately, she drifted in in the stretch, cutting off Pop Start, who was making a big move on the rail. This meant Fakery was disqualified and placed second. Was it the right call? Hard to say. But I wish it didn't have to come while costing me a cinch that would've paid a generous $4.80.
Race 4 (Where's That Cat, Gerald Bennett-Trevor McCarthy, 1:11.2)
I'll give some credit to Trevor McCarthy, who gave Where's That Cat a very heads-up ride here. He sent his mount immediately to the front, and it was all over from there. Sublime Twist made some decent ground on the outside to finish second, cutting Where's That Cat's winning margin by more than half.
There were a season-high four claims out of this race: winner Where's That Cat went to Bernardo Sobrazo, fifth-place Bobby V to Jamie Ness, Sublime Twist to Tim Kelly, and fourth-place Awesome Heart to Bruce Alexander.
Race 5 (Brahman, Angela Traitz-Luis Rivera, 1:11.3)
Bombs away times three! 64/1 Brahman had the dream race, as he sat a great trip off two duelers. Furthermore, every other contender in the field didn't fire, so Brahman essentially won by default. Not only did he win, 32/1 Bat Cave rallied from nowhere to finish second, and 15/1 Iron Dale Al hung in there to finish third. The trifecta returned more than $5,000 for a $1 bet.
Race 6 (Hop Skip and Away, Steve Klesaris-Paco Lopez, 1:05.1)
Note to self: don't doubt the old warriors. Hop Skip and Away, at age 10, sat off a three-way speed duel, angled three-wide around the turn, and grinded past leader Exchange the Limit to win it. That's his second win of 2015, from seven starts. He's raced at Monmouth Park for nine seasons, and he's won at seven of them! Seven years of winning at Monmouth! They got to name a race after this horse when it's all said and done.
Race 7 (Trish's Wish, Henry Carroll-Jose Ferrer, 1:03.1)
Nobody tried to challenge Trish's Wish for the lead, meaning that no one could pass her at the end. That kind of stuff tends to happen in situations like that.
Race 8 (Lucky Bella, Eddie Broome-Paco Lopez, 1:45.0)
Gallant Lady was well clear down the backstretch, but once she was actually pressured on the lead, the party was over. Lucky Bella made a two-wide move for the lead, and she drew off after no one else was even remotely close to challenging her for the lead. Sweet on Smokey, who was taking that suspicious class drop, kind of tried to pass, but ultimately, couldn't.
Race 9 (Precious Paula, Skip Einhorn-Nik Juarez, 1:44.1)
Another key example of how trips matter. The winner, Precious Paula, sat a terrific trip tucked in behind the leaders, then rallied through a hole on the rail to win it. Archer Queen, meanwhile, was fanned a ridiculous six-wide around the far turn, but still rallied nobly to finish a solid second. Watch for Archer Queen next time if she faces a bit of a softer field.
Race 10 (Private Estate, Wayne Catalano-Paco Lopez, 1:12.1)
Private Estate was bet down to a ridiculous 4/5. She ran like she deserved to be those odds, though, battling for the lead two-wide and drawing off to an easy score. Pointe Class rated off that duel and looked to be loaded for bear around the turn, but had less than no response to being asked in the stretch.
Race 11 (I'm Already Sexy, Wayne Catalano-Paco Lopez, 1:41.1)
Back-to-back winners for Wayne Catalano and Paco Lopez, but this winner paid a generous $16.80. I'm Already Sexy made a three-wide sweep around the turn, and wound up holding off both Kenzadargent on the rail and stellar path on the outside to score. That big move that just missed in the Mint Julep, but it worked well here. Paco Lopez got his fifth winner of the day. Is the Matchmaker next?
Race 12 (Charlie's Rainbow, Brenda McCarthy-Jose Ferrer, 1:13.0)
Once again, a horse who isn't challenged on the lead wins for fun. Charlie's Rainbow was allowed to set a slow :22.4 opening quarter, and none of the others could even come close. Same old story...
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