Monmouth Park – Sunday, June 2, 2019
Twelve races carded, with a couple of six horse affairs. Stake for sprinting 3 yr. olds, and turf sprint allowance look competitive. Weather looks to be great….
Race 1: 1 – 7 – 6
Pointer – last two tower over these from a figure standpoint. Looks to return quick dividends off the claim coming back in a week. Takes another wire to wire. Beacos Disco Pants looks next best. In good recent form-showing consistency of late. Stalks from the outside. Domain steps up off the claim – was bred and cut out to be much better, should get a share.
Race 2: 6 – 4 – 1
Jersey-bred maidens running for $56K – nice! Politely Crowned looks like a standout off her debut. Leads all the way or lays just off it from outside post moves past when ready. Lady Express – coming in from Chicago for first start (has to be the purse) – Rivelli wouldn’t send her if he didn’t think she would perform. Steady works since April. Attracts Gallardo. Perspicacious – a repeat of either of her first two would have her right there. Runs well fresh – see first out, likes Monmouth. Fits.
Race 3: 4 – 5 – 2
With Me Without Me – pitched too high on the grass in last off the big maiden win on dirt. This is a more reasonable level. Gallardo climbs aboard again for smart barn. Viradia – talk about smart barns – this Asmussen trainee ships in and drops off two decent 3rd finishes with slightly better. Osheen comes in from Parx off the maiden score – note the two races on fast dirt. May surprise.
Race 4: 5 – 4 – 1
Finishing School freaked in her last. Granted it was a rained off race – and those often produce open length winners – but may be improving. Bred for grass, might sit just off it and finish. Brexit Revenge – major points for consistency. Likes the grass here – and should improve in 2nd off layoff. Postino’s Idol – another consistent type. Saves the ground from the rail under Ferrer – should be tough.
Race 5: 6 – 3 – 2
Mojac Kat – at 4 ½ furlongs – he’s the choice to pop the break and go, go, go. Spina can have them ready early, especially coming up from (the late) Crupi’s New Castle in Fla. My Sacred Place has the connections, both barn and ownership – should be finishing, thinking longer and potentially grass later. Analyze Your Risk – another with ALL the connections – will likely show improved speed here. Biggest threat to choice early.
Race 6: 2 – 3 – 1
Johansson comes in off win first time over track. Has speed stretches back out, Torres stays – should sit the trip. Missive – smart barn, stretches out off 3rd behind runaway sprint winner in what looks like a prep for this. Will be finishing. Sweet Sami D. like the works between starts, should shake loose on lead, may last for part.
Race 7: 7 – 8 – 2
Teak looks ultra-tough off the last. Three works since the last should have him sitting on ready. Versatile can lead the whole way or sit and pounce. Keepingitquiet last was impressive considering that was an ‘open’ beaten claimer, and is now back with N3L types. Money Illusion looks like he comes to run off the long layoff. Think he gets gunned to the lead, and goes as far as he can.
Race 8: 2 – 10 – 9
Bourbon in Bed – looks tough shipping in off a series of seconds at Parx. Shortens up in distance for smart barn – makes the difference. Angel by the Sea – needed last off an 18 month layoff. Should be fitter today, can sit an outside stalking trip. Family Fortune – a running machine – doesn’t miss an opportunity to run. Hasn’t ever competed this cheaply (though maiden claimers’ quality from track to track are hard to assess). Should be tough if rated to finish.
Race 9: 1 – 4 – 5
Sir Truebadour working steadily and swiftly for return. Runs well fresh as evidenced by first out win last May. Gr. 3 winner has to ‘go’ from the start or risk getting shuffled back. Think he can. The Big S – last was better than initially appears. KEE races generally tough for the conditions should be finishing. Sombeyay also a Gr.3 winner – but last leaves a lot of questions. Also have to question what he got out of the last….top connections, hard to leave out.
Race 10: 2 – 1 – 6
Competitive grass sprint! Knarsdale should continue to improve and looks to live up to 1st out promise. Inside post dictates ‘go’ clears if replicates opening quarter from last. Bayberry from the craftiest connections around…breeding suggests grass, steady work pattern, and last 3f breeze should have her on edge for return. Should be finishing. Not Sure, two lifetime starts – both really good. Working very steadily for return, even has a grass work for daughter of Australian champ (all grass).
Race 11: 1 – 2 – 5
Ivy’s College Fund – plummets off the layoff – owner doesn’t usually hold on to inexpensive claimers, so “For Sale” is clearly up. Four legs? Should romp. Shanghai Shuffle should stick around for the place. Runaway Train– back off a nearly two year layoff – had class once, likes the track…you never know…
Race 12: 4 – 2 – 1
In another short field, where many lack form – Powerfully Built is the pick off the big maiden win. Quick turnaround and placed at a level where the win looks ‘big’. I’m a Cool Man last looks awfully good against these. No history of putting good races together but should be able to against these. Brown Essence saves ground, gets a piece for new connection.