A star was unveiled in the featured Klassy Briefcase Stakes. There were 11 other races, too.
Race 1 (Dr. Blarney, Tom McCooey-Tommy Turner, :58.4)
Dr. Blarney sat THE trip--rating off two duelers while well clear of the rest of the field--and rolled away to break his maiden at first asking. He was well bet, too: his morning line was 12/1, but he paid $11.60. And, considering that the comparable fillies did five furlongs in 1:01.2 yesterday, the final time here is semi-respectable.
Race 2 (Exclusive Symphony, Patricia Farro-Wilmer Garcia, 1:12.0)
Note to other jockeys: when your horse isn't being challenged on the lead, there's no need to set a :21.3 opening quarter on your horse. Nik Juarez's mount, Twisted Kick, burst out to a five-length lead all by herself, and unsurprisingly tired out. Exclusive Symphony blew by her at the eighth pole and won it easily. Twisted Kick held on to finish second.
Race 3 (Mr. Viber, Todd Pletcher-Abel Castellano, 1:10.0)
It was an epic stretch battle here, as Mr. Viber, Tell Tale Friend, and Pomeroy's Package dueled throughout the final quarter mile. In the end, Mr. Viber got up and won it by a nose over Tell Tale Friend. Tough beat for someone like me, who liked both Tell Tale Friend and Pomeroy's Package.
Race 4 (A Nice Rendition, Jane Cibelli-Nik Juarez, 1:05.2)
A Nice Rendition engaged in a mini-duel for second place down the backstretch. When leader Two More Jacs tired, A Nice Rendition made his move, but had to battle with Joni's Wildcat down the stretch. A Nice Rendition managed to hold on by a neck. Game effort on his part.
Race 5 (Frogman Mel, Marcos Zulueta-Joe Bravo, 1:42.0)
Frogman Mel took his time here, biding off the four horses who went to the front. Once they stopped, he rallied wide, and won it going away. Nothing to it.
Race 6 (Bobby V, Jamie Ness-Trevor McCarthy, 1:11.2)
It was another example of sitting the trip. Bobby V rated just off the front-runners, moved three-wide on the turn, and won like a 3/5 shot should--easily.
Race 7 (Subpoena, Claudio Gonzalez-Joe Bravo, 1:35.4)
At this stage, you have to wonder how long Claudio Gonzalez will be sneaky good. His win percentage in the program remains low, but he's been getting really hot lately, and this race was no exception. Get 'em while you can, I guess.
Joe Bravo wins his second on the grass today with this one, who moved four-wide and rolled past them.
Race 8 (Alpha Dude, Jamie Ness-Trevor McCarthy, 1:12.1)
Alpha Dude looked well beaten at the eighth pole. However, he suddenly decided to run as if a rocket was up his butt, and exploded up the rail to win by a nose. If he had moved one second later, he would've lost. Beautiful timing from Trevor McCarthy, and great races from both Little Tom and Hereosaurus Rex. They dueled with each other the whole way around, but didn't get tired until late.
Race 9 (Vipera, Jane Cibelli-Trevor McCarthy, 1:35.4)
Make it three on the day for Trevor McCarthy. He rode the rails with Vipera, got her clear late, and held off rail-skimming Precious Paula for the victory. That's also a training double for Jane Cibelli.
Race 10 (Chubble Maker, Daniel Lopez-Angel Serpa, 1:11.2)
That ten-month layoff didn't deter Chubble Maker, who rallied five-wide around the turn and won it by a grinding 3/4 of a length. With a race under his belt, he may run an even bigger race next out. Watch for him.
Race 11 (Lady Shipman, Kathleen O'Connell-Eduardo Nunez, 1:01.2)
This was an incredible effort from Lady Shipman. She jumped out to the front, and managed to hold everyone off to win by six lengths. That's her second stakes win of the Monmouth season, and her third stakes win on the year overall. Hopefully, bigger and better things are next for her.
Race 12 (Action Tonight, Tony Wilson-Navin Mangalee, 1:13.4)
My pick, Frolicking Gal, led going into the stretch, but wound up losing by 27 lengths. Figures. Action Tonight, meanwhile, made up nine lengths in the stretch and got up over Silver Bouquet in the last stride.
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