Cloudy skies greeted the crowd at Monmouth on Independence Day, which unfortunately numbered fewer than 8,000. Maybe the threat of rain scared people away, or maybe it was all the chalk dust. Regardless, here's what happened:
Race 1 (Mi Amore, Greg Sacco-Joe Bravo, 1:39.4)
Eight Cents established a clear lead going down the backstretch, but because he never actually wins races, it was little surprise that he tired. Mi Amore sat a great trip rating off that pace, and battled past Eight Cents to win it. Unfortunately, he was bet down to 6/5 late, after being around 2/1 for most of the betting. No surprises there...
Race 2 (Clowney, Keith Dickey-Tommy Turner, 1:12.1)
Zeal Genius was hustled to a loose early lead, and he looked to be home going around the turn. However, Clowney kept grinding down the stretch, and wound up drawing away by two. He, too, was bet down to the unbettable price of 6/5 very late in the betting. Who says that there is justice in the world?
Race 3 (Paddington Express, John Pimental-Daniel Centeno, 1:46.0)
I had been chasing Paddington Express all year, without success, so it figures that he would win a race in which I totally disregarded him. Here, Stitcher set a clear early lead, only to be challenged by Paddington Express coming around the turn. It wasn't easy, but Paddington Express wound up grinding by to score at 10/1.
Race 4 (Siena Indian, Gerald Bennett-Sammy Camacho, 1:11.3)
This race was over the moment it began, as Siena Indian shot to the early lead and never looked back. Hereosaurus Rex, meanwhile, held off the rest of the field to be second the whole way, while Tio Kanki was third throughout the stretch run. That's the definition of a merry-go-round right there, folks.
Race 5 (Billyscrystalball, Mike Mullin-Abel Castellano, 1:04.2)
Double the Energy was the best in this field. She was hung wide off a fast pace almost the whole way, and looked dangerous when she made a three-wide move to the lead. Billyscrystalball, meanwhile, was stuck in traffic going around the turn, shot through when clear, and won it.
Race 6 (Chilton, Michelle Nevin-Paco Lopez, 1:11.4)
I expressed doubt over Chilton's placement into this cheap claiming race, but he ran a big one instead. He dueled with Street Brawl on the outside, then put that rival away and won by 3 1/2 lengths. My pick, Pro Prospect, had a great trip off that duel, but faded badly and wound up last.
Race 7 (To Your Health, Wayne Catalano-Paco Lopez, 1:43.0)
To my surprise, To Your Health wound up favored in here. He made a big rally late to catch early leader Steel Sky, proving the public right. Deep Consideration wound up fourth, proving that he will probably never win a race in his life. My pick, Bridge of Luck, never did anything and wound up third.
Race 8 (Carajillo, Todd Pletcher-Abel Castellano, 1:44.2)
Word ran a good race in his first career start, receiving some pressure from heavy favorite Carajillo. The latter one wound up drawing away fairly easily, but Word still finished four lengths in front of the rest of the field. We'll see how he does next out, when he's not facing a rival as dominant as Carajillo.
Race 9 (Curve of Stones, Marcus Vitali-Orlando Bocachica, 1:43.4)
In his last race, Curve of Stones was wide the entire way around. Here, he got a ground-saving trip, engaging in a slow-paced duel with Diana's Vendetta. He shook that rival off and won by a length. Just goes to show you the effect ground-saving has on race outcomes.
Race 10 (Love Came to Town, Kevin Sleeter-Elvis Trujillo, 1:11.1)
Love Came to Town looked much the best on paper, and ran like it. She rated three-wide, swooped the field around the turn, and drew off to an emphatic five-length score. She's Hot Wired and World Gone Wright battled with each other for second place, with the former prevailing by a neck.
Race 11 (Kharafa, Tim Hills-Paco Lopez, 1:34.1)
How much the best was Kharafa? Going around the final turn, he was absolutely buried in traffic, looking hopeless. He found a path around that turn and moved up closer to the lead, only to get stopped once again. At long last, he split rivals, and got up to win it. He won by a neck over Lochte--who made a bold five-wide move himself to score second--but he could've won by more with a cleaner path.
Race 12 (Be Smitten, Claudio Gonzalez-Wilmer Garcia, 1:45.0)
Be Smitten got the lead, got clear enough so no one could catch her, and won by sixteen lengths. That's what happens in these kind of races.
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