September 5, 2007
MONMOUTH POSTS ATTENDANCE, HANDLE GAINS AT SUMMER MEET; BRAVO TAKES 13TH RIDING TITLE; PLETCHER TOP TRAINER OF 2007
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Monmouth Park’s 75-day summer meeting, a prelude this year to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in October, finished on a high note Sunday, Sept. 2, with significant gains in both handle and attendance over last season.

Sunday’s closing day crowd of 16,184 (third highest of the meet behind Haskell Day and Father’s Day) brought total attendance for the meet to 672,790, and the average daily attendance of 8,971 was 5.6 percent higher than last year’s 8,497.

Total mutuel handle on Monmouth races from all sources reached $232,265,187, an average of $3,096,869, which was an increase of 5.1 percent over last year. Total handle in the building, which includes simulcasting wagering, was $94,649,198, an average of $1,261,989 per day, an increase of 5.2 percent over last year.

“The entire meet was a wire-to-wire winner,” said Dennis Dowd, senior vice president of racing for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. “It should provide us with plenty of momentum as we prepare for the Breeders’ Cup in October.

“The numbers we saw this season at Monmouth Park are a true testament not only to the economic importance of this facility to the state of New Jersey, but to all the fans who continue to enjoy great racing at the Jersey Shore.”

Monmouth closed earlier than usual this year in order to prepare for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships that will be run here during the special four-day meeting Oct. 24-27.

As usual, Haskell Day provided the high point of the summer as a crowd of 43,106 – fifth largest in Monmouth history – saw Any Given Saturday win the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational to put him on the road back here for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered By Dodge on Oct. 27.

Father’s Day, June 17, was another big day at Monmouth, as 23,975 turned out to celebrate the holiday.

Joe Bravo raced to a record 13^th title (and fifth in a row) as Monmouth’s leading rider, scoring with 110 of his mounts, 20 more than Eddie Castro. Mario Madrid was top apprentice with 20 wins.

Todd Pletcher, the nation’s leading conditioner, took his first Monmouth training title with 33 winners, narrowly defeating Bruce Levine and Jason Servis.

Peter Kazamias was the leading owner during the meet with 13 winners.

Kevin Sleeter’s Talkin About Love, who became the first New Jersey-bred filly of the modern era to win the Monmouth Oaks, was the top performer of the meet as she won all five of her starts here.

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September 2, 2007
LANTANA MOB SCORES IN SAPLING; A LITTLE GEM TAKES SORORITY
Monmouth Park.com

BACHATA UPSETS TWIN LIGHTS AS MONMOUTH FINALE DRAWS 16,184

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Lantana Mob, who won the Tyro Stakes earlier this season, validated that form at Monmouth Park Sunday as he captured the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) in convincing fashion before a closing day crowd of 16,184, third largest of the 2007 summer season.

In earlier stakes action on the final card, A Little Gem took the Sorority Stakes and Bachata scored in the Twin Lights on the turf in course record time.

Lantana Mob, trained by Steve Asmussen, became the third winner of the day for jockey Stewart Elliott as he gunned the Posse colt through the stretch to finish three and a quarter lengths in front of Preachin Man. Z Humor, the even-money favorite who trailed for most of the six-furlong race, rallied to be third in the field of seven 2-year-olds, three lengths farther back.

The winner, off as second choice, paid $8.60, $5.60 and $2.60 across the board after stepping the distance in 1:09 4/5. Preachin Man, a 10-1 shot, completed the $60.80 exacta and paid $9.20 to place and $3.40 to show. Z Humor paid $2.40 to show.

This was the third lifetime score in five starts for Lantana Mob, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in June, and then won the Tyro Stakes here in July. He earned a prize of $90,000 for owners Vinery Stables & Tom Ludt, bringing his career bankroll to $171,548.

"He broke sharp and relaxed very well," Elliott said. "We were able to sit just off the pace and behind a couple of horses. Once I eased him out, he knew exactly what to do and just took off."

Elliott guided back-to-back winners earlier on the card, taking the third race on Lu Tac and the fourth on Billysbenormal.

In the $120,000 Sorority Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, Martin L. Cherry's A Little Gem was content to race off the pace for a half-mile, and then rolled into command rounding the turn. She drew out through the stretch to score a two and a quarter-length victory over Bold Child.

Reata's Quik Punch finished nearly four lengths farther back in third, with New York City Girl, the 3-2 favorite, ending up fourth in the field of seven.

A Little Gem, trained by Steve Margolis and ridden by Jose Lezcano, stopped the timer in 1:11 3/5 for the six furlongs on a fast main track, and paid $10, $5.40 and $4.20 across the board as third choice. Bold Child, a 14-1 chance, completed the $105.20 exacta.

This was the second straight victory at Monmouth for A Little Gem. The daughter of Yonaguska broke her maiden here on Aug. 2 in her second career start.

A Little Gem earned $72,000 for her first stakes score, bringing her earnings to $98,400. She finished second in her career debut at Churchill Downs.

"When the overnight came out, and she drew the outside, Jose (Lezcano) and I discussed the race," Margolis said. "I knew she didn't have to be on the lead. Last time, she was just much the best, so she was on the lead, but since we have plans to stretch her out, it was best to let her settle off the speed.

"From here, we'll look at the one-turn mile at Belmont (Grade 1 Frizette on Oct. 6). Nothing's definite, but we'll keep her here, and if all goes well, maybe we'll be looking at the Breeders' Cup (Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 27)."

Jockey Eddie Castro scored his third victory of the day in the $80,000 Twin Lights Stakes, as he guided Pin Oak Stable's Bachata to an upset victory. With the portable rail set 24 feet out from the hedge, she ran the mile and an eighth on firm turf in 1:47.33, eclipsing the mark of 1:47.46 set last year by Kansas City Boy

Bachata, trained by Graham Motion, went off at 12-1 and scored by a neck over Dattts Awesome. Miss Tizzynow, also trained by Motion, was a length farther back as the 3-1 favorite in the field of nine fillies and mares.

This was the fourth straight victory and first stakes score for Bachata, a 3-year-old daughter of Kingmambo who broke her maiden at Delaware in May, and then won two allowance races at Colonial Downs.

Bachata paid $27.80, $11.60 and $7 across the board and combined with Dattts Awesome for a $166.60 exacta.

Castro scored back-to-back wins earlier on the card, taking the fifth race with Guns Drawn and the sixth with Rodeo Drive.

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September 1, 2007
SUNDAY'S SAPLING FINAL GRADED STAKES OF 2007 SUMMER MEET
Monmouth Park.com

With the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Monmouth drawing nearer, all of the stakes races over the track take on the look of preps for the big show.

Sunday's 74th running of the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3), final graded event of the summer season, drew a field of eight 2-year-olds with great expectations.

The home team is represented by the Tim Kelly-trained pair of Evenings End and Haddenfield, and the Pat Bottazzi-conditioned Ginas Wonder, all of whom broke their maidens at Monmouth.

But the invaders look strong, headed by Lantana Mob, who took a maiden race at Churchill Downs and then won the Tyro Stakes here for Steve Asmussen; Z Humor, a Bill Mott-trained colt who made an impressive debut at Saratoga, and Preachin Man, a Keeneland maiden winner who gained stakes brackets in the Minstrel Stakes at Louisiana Downs for Ronny Werner.

Trainer Mark Shuman, who won the Sapling last year with Xchanger, sends Tide Dancer up from his Fair Hill, Maryland, base, and Rick Dutrow Jr. sends out Dazzling Derek, who broke his maiden at Belmont and has turned in a sharp breeze at Monmouth for his stakes debut.

The goal, of course, is to get them in the gate for the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) here on Oct. 27.

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September 1, 2007
BUFFALO MAN, OUT 6 MONTHS, READY TO START ON COMEBACK TRAIL
Monmouth Park.com

Buffalo Man, who created quite a stir here last year as a 2-year-old when he won his first two starts at Monmouth and took a stakes at the Meadowlands, will have his first breeze Sunday since being injured in late February, trainer Cam Gambolati said.

The 3-year-old El Prado colt, who finished third in last year's Sapling, completed his 2-year-old season by winning the Storm Cat Stakes at the Meadowlands in November.

Gambolati, who won the Kentucky Derby with Spend a Buck in 1985, put Buffalo Man on the Triple Crown trail. The Ontario-bred bay colt came out running as a 3-year-old, winning the Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January, and the Ocala Breeders Sales Championship in February.

Buffalo Man was training for the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream when he suffered a condylar fracture in a Feb. 25 breeze.

"They placed two screws to hold the fracture, and it healed perfectly," Gambolati said. "He came back really well, and he's ready to start breezing. He'll have his first breeze Sunday with Jose Lezcano up.

"If everything goes right, I hope to start him in an allowance race or a stakes race on Breeders' Cup Week here (Oct. 24-27)," the trainer said.

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September 1, 2007
SORORITY DRAWS STRONG FIELD OF JUVENILE FILLIES
Monmouth Park.com

Sunday's $120,000 Sorority Stakes for 2-year-old fillies has drawn a worthy field for its 55th running, with four Monmouth maiden winners and three strong invaders in the field of seven.

Steve Margolis will send out Martin Cherry's A Little Gem in the six-furlong test, and the daughter of Yonaguska will draw considerable attention because of the way she broke her maiden.

In that Aug. 2 race, A Little Gem broke from the rail, got in gear around the turn, and was taken in hand the final sixteenth as she drew off to win by more than five lengths.

"Since she was down on the inside, I told Jose (jockey Jose Lezcano) to let the speed go," Margolis said. "But she just dragged him to the lead and went on from there. She looked great."

Margolis said the filly should have broken her maiden at first asking in July at Churchill Downs, but was in trouble the whole way.

"The chart trouble line doesn't begin to tell the story," he said. "She had to check, she was knocked off stride, she had to alter course a couple of times. And then she got beat only a half-length."

A Little Gem starts from the outside Post 7 Sunday, which the trainer sees as a good thing.

"I like the outside post for her," Margolis said. "The rider has options from there. She's trained really well for this (five furlongs in a bullet :59 4/5 last Saturday) and I think she'll run well."

Trainer Tim Hills also has a filly who broke her maiden in style and is training sharply for the Sorority.

Bold Child, a daughter of Flatter - Protect the Child, by Housebuster, owned by Zarba Hills Stables, came out running in her debut on July 4, drawing off to win by more than five lengths in :57 3/5 for five furlongs.

"She takes after the Housebuster side of the family," Hills said of the filly, referring to her grandsire, the champion sprinter of both the 1990 and 1991 seasons.

Bold Child turned in her final work for the Sorority on Friday morning, when she breezed three furlongs in a sharp :36 1/5 with jockey Stewart Elliott aboard.

"Stew said he didn't realize she was going as fast she was," Hills said. "I said good horses go fast easy."

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September 1, 2007
ICY ATLANTIC SETS COURSE RECORD IN WINNING RED BANK ON TURF
Monmouth Park.com

SMOKEY STOVER, 1-10, CRUISES TO VICTORY IN ICECAPADE STAKES

OCEANPORT, N.J. - James Scatuorchio's Icy Atlantic, the 3-10 favorite, captured the $150,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3) in course record time, and Smokey Stover punched his ticket for the Breeders' Cup in Saturday's stakes action at Monmouth Park.

Icy Atlantic, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Joe Bravo, made a furious rush through the stretch to get up for a neck victory in the Red Bank. He raced the one mile over firm turf in 1:32.42 to establish a record for the distance with the portable rail set out 24 feet from the hedge. The previous mark of 1:33.89 was set last August by Ide Rejoice.

A 6-year-old son of Stormy Atlantic, Icy Atlantic paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20 across the board as the odds-on choice in the field of seven. Touched By Madness, a 23-1 chance who reached the lead in midstretch, held gamely for second by a head over Baron Von Tap, and returned $9 to place and $4 to show, completing the $41.40 exacta. Baron Von Tap was $3.40 to show.

Icy Atlantic was content to settle far back off a fast pace (:46 1/5 for the half, 1:09 flat for six furlongs) for the first half-mile. Bravo got him running around the turn and once straightened out in the lane, Icy Atlantic set sail for the lead. He passed Touched By Madness just before the wire as Baron Von Tap made a move on the inside to make it a close finish.

"He's trained great for both races that he's run here this year," said Anthony Sciametta Jr. "He was running on in his last (Oceanport on Aug. 5), but got in some traffic trouble at the top of the stretch. He's run very well all year."

Bravo, on his way to a 13th riding title, said, "He could have won a six-furlong race with the times they put up there. Todd Pletcher did a great job. He was the class of the race. I was just happy to be along for the ride."

This was the third win of the season in seven starts for Icy Atlantic, and the winner's share of $90,000 brought his career total to $853,940.

Harry Aleo's Smokey Stover, sent off the 1-10 favorite in the $100,000 Icecapade Stakes at six furlongs, gained complete command on the turn and held Park Avenue Ball safe through the stretch for a two-length victory with regular rider Aaron Gryder aboard.

The Greg Gilchrist-trained 4-year-old stopped the timer in a solid 1:08 4/5 for the distance over a fast track in what amounted to a prep for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) that will be run here on Oct. 27.

Smokey Stover paid $2.20 to win and $2.10 to place and topped an $8 exacta with Park Avenue Ball, third choice in the wagering at 8-1. Cougar Cat, the second favorite, finished third, six lengths behind Park Avenue Ball, with High Blitz last in the field of four.  There was no show wagering offered on the Icecapade.

"The race unfolded like we thought it would," Gilchrist said. He's not truly a speed horse, and we figured the 3 (Cougar Cat) would be watching us and we'd be watching the 3. He finished well, and I was happy to see that.

"I usually give it 48 hours before making plans, but the Breeders' Cup is the plan right now. We'll take him back home (northern California) and if he's really doing well and a race comes up, he might have another start between now and the Breeders' Cup."

Gryder, who was a Monmouth regular before moving his tack to California three years ago, said, "He ran a good race today, but you haven't seen his best yet. I went out there and rode him like he was the best horse in the race, and he was. I was just focused on getting a good race into him for the Breeders' Cup."

Smokey Stover, a Florida-bred son of Put It Back, broke sharply and engaged Cougar Cat for the lead down the backstretch. They clipped off fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 flat before the winner asserted himself at the quarter-pole.

Smokey Stover held a clear lead into the final furlong as Park Avenue Ball, making his first start in three months, closed for second, but could not get closer than two lengths.

Smokey Stover earned $60,000 for winning his fifth race in six starts this year. It was his eighth win in 13 lifetime starts and brought his earnings to $568,725.

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August 31, 2007
SMOKEY STOVER READY TO DO HIS THING IN ICECAPADE STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Monmouth fans will be treated to another Breeders' Cup preview in Saturday's $100,000 Icecapade Stakes when Harry Aleo's multiple stakes winner Smokey Stover meets four foes at six furlongs.

Trainer Greg Gilchrist shipped the 4-year-old in from his Bay Meadows, California, base to give him a race over the Monmouth track with an eye toward the Breeders' Cup Sprint on Oct. 27.

"There were a lot of places we could have gone," Gilchrist said, "but I talked it over with Mr. Aleo and we agreed that Monmouth was the best place.

"We have an idea that he's a Breeders' Cup horse, and I want him to have a race over the track. Mr. Aleo and I agreed that if he can't win this, he can't go to the Breeders' Cup."

Smokey Stover, a Florida-bred 4-year-old son of Put It Back, who was purchased for $140,000 at the 2005 sale of 2-year-olds, has won four of his five starts this year, including the Grade 2 Potrero Grande Handicap at Santa Anita and the Grade 3 Bay Meadows Sprint Handicap. He was third last out in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder.

"It rained most of the day, and he just didn't handle the track," Gilchrist said. "I think he'll like the Monmouth track. From what I've seen, this is very close to the tracks we have out west."

Smokey Stover, who arrived Tuesday night, jogged on Thursday and galloped once around the oval Friday morning. His regular rider, Aaron Gryder, will be in to ride on Saturday.

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August 31, 2007
KELLY WILL HAVE TWO FOR THE MONEY IN SUNDAY'S SAPLING
Monmouth Park.com

Trainer Tim Kelly is walking around with a big smile on his face these days. That's the way it is when you have talented 2-year-olds in the barn.

Kelly will have a pair of juveniles in Sunday's $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3), the final graded event of Monmouth's summer season. Haddenfield broke his maiden here at first asking, and ran second in a stakes at Delaware last out. Evenings End ran off to an eight-length score in his second career start at Monmouth.

"They make a good entry," Kelly said of the two youngsters, who are both bred and owned by Daniel J. Ljoka. "Evenings End has plenty of speed, and Haddenfield comes from off the pace."

Haddenfield is the most experienced of the pair, with three starts, including that stakes placing on Aug. 18. He had trouble while starting from the rail that day, but recovered to make a big stretch move to be second.

"It's a concern bringing him back so quick," Kelly said, "but he recovered quickly from that race, and he's acting well. I'll make a final decision the day of the race about him."

Evenings End on the other hand, has not started since he broke his maiden on July 20, and comes into the six-furlong Sapling off a string of works.

His most recent was a :37 3/5 breeze here on Thursday, his final sharpener for the stakes race, but his most significant was the :47 2/5 half-mile he turned in out of the gate on Aug. 15.

"Chuck (jockey Chuck Lopez) was up yesterday and said the colt worked super," Kelly said. "But in the gate work, I wanted to simulate race conditions. I worked him with a 4-year-old, a winner, and he had his jockey up (Daniel Centeno, since injured). He was sensational that day and really got a lot out of it."

Evenings End turned in the fastest of 32 works at the distance that morning.

Both youngsters were bred by Ljoka in partnership with Sharon Biamonte. But Evenings End is a New Jersey-bred, while Haddenfield is a Florida-bred.

"I'm smiling because they're like family," Kelly said. "We raise them, we break them and we race them, and they become like your kids. And when your kids do well, you're happy. They're doing well, and I'm happy."

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August 31, 2007
RUNNING IN RED BANK IS NOT 'MADNESS' ON PLESA'S PART
Monmouth Park.com

Touched By Madness has provided some of his own fast times at the Jersey Shore in the past, winning the Jersey Derby in front-running fashion in 2005, and nearly lasting after leading throughout the Lamplighter Stakes. The 5-year-old won an allowance race here last year on turf, and this year was second to Indy Wind in the Skip Away Stakes.

On Saturday, he goes back to grass to try for his first career graded stakes win (he was DQd from first in the Grade 3 Kent in 2005) in the $150,000 Red Bank (G3), and if recent form counts, will be a stalker and not a leader.

"He's evolved and matured," trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. said. "He doesn't need to be on the lead any more. He can be effective from off the pace."

Plesa claimed Touched By Madness for $100,000 out of a Calder race last December, when the horse was entered as trained by Kathleen O'Connell. Ned Allard was the trainer of record when the Sword Dance gelding raced here.

And Plesa did not part with 100 large on a hunch. He knew exactly what he was getting.

"He's a very versatile horse," the trainer said. "He's equally effective on turf or dirt. I watched him pretty closely and claimed him the first chance I had.

"I wanted him because I trained his brother, Sejm's Madness," Plesa said. "He was also a very versatile horse."

Plesa claimed Sejm's Madness, who was by Sejm out of the Shananie mare Marilyn's Madness, for $75,000 in 1999. The previous trainer was Ned Allard. Both Touched By Madness and Sejm's Madness were bred by former owner Gilbert Campbell.

Sejm's Madness made 48 starts for Plesa and won seven races, including turf stakes at Calder and Gulfstream.

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August 30, 2007
GIMME CREDIT DEMANDS RESPECT IN SATURDAY’S RED BANK
Monmouth Park.com

Saturday's $150,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3), the last graded event to be run on the grass here before Breeders' Cup Week in October, has come up a solid event, with several Monmouth turf winners in the field.

But there is one newcomer to the local course who demands attention because of his connections, and because of the way he's handled turf courses at Belmont and Saratoga.

Hampshire Farms' Gimme Credit is trained by Tim Hills, who has won a Monmouth training title (2004), and is especially effective with turf horses. So why hasn't the 4-year-old Gimme Credit been seen on the grass here before this?

"He's a New York-bred," Hills said of the son of Artax - Shagadelic, by Devil's Bag. "We kept him racing in New York to take advantage of the state-bred program."

Gimme Credit made the first nine starts of his career in restricted company. He was winless at 2, although he finished second in his first turf try, and did not break his maiden until his second start at 3, an off-the-grass mile at Belmont, where he reveled in the slop.

That race in June got Gimme Credit off in the right direction, and he reeled off five straight wins (four on grass) for Hills. One of the victories came in the Equalize Stakes at Saratoga, an open event at one mile on turf.

The gelding finished last season with two fourth-place finishes in stakes on the grass at Keeneland and Calder, a move to open company that has continued this year.

He finished sixth in a Belmont allowance in May - his first start in six months, and then turned in an impressive performance on June 17 in winning the Notoriety Stakes on the grass at Belmont.

He made a dramatic stretch move that carried him from sixth to first, and he was drawing off at the end to score by three and a quarter lengths in the very fast time of 1:20 3/5 for seven furlongs.

"That was a very impressive race visually," Hills said. "He just got in gear in the stretch and ran them down, and then was drawing off at the end. And he finished like that off a half in :45 and change."

The race impressed enough people that Gimme Credit, who went off at 16-1 in the overnight stakes, was bet down to 4-1 for his first graded stakes try in the Poker Handicap (G3) at Belmont in July. But this time he had no kick when the rider asked, and finished a dull seventh.

"We loved him going into the Poker, and I was disappointed with the way he ran," Hills said. "But it turned out he had an entrapped epiglottis and wasn't getting enough air.

"He's had minor surgery to correct that now, and he's been training very well since then," the trainer said.

The mile seems to be an ideal distance for Gimme Credit, and he will take some beating in the Red Bank if he gets a favorable pace scenario.

"He needs some pace to run at," Hills said. "Looking at the field, I think he'll get it."

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August 30, 2007
BRUCE LEVINE NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Bruce Levine, who saddled three winners last week to move closer to the top in the standings, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Levine will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Levine sent out three winners during last week's racing action, and by the end of the week had gained a tie for second place in the trainer standings with Jason Servis. Those two are making the trainer race close for the final week with meet-long leader Todd Pletcher.

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August 29, 2007
RED BANK, SAPLING TOP 5 STAKES ON MONMOUTH'S FINAL WEEKEND
Monmouth Park.com

The final weekend of Monmouth's summer meeting promises to be exciting, with five stakes races - including two graded events - and promotions set both Saturday and Sunday.

The Meadowlands fall meeting opens on Monday, and this year Monmouth will hold a special four-day meet Oct. 24-27 capped by the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Topping Saturday's card at Monmouth is the $150,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3), a one-mile turf event that will draw a strong field for its 34th running. Last year's running of the Red Bank was won by Miesque's Approval, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Mile and became the Eclipse Award champion male grass horse of 2006.

Saturday's card also includes the $100,000 Icecapade Stakes at six furlongs, which will attract some of the fastest older sprinters in training, including Smokey Stover, a graded stakes winner in California this year.

Saturday is also "Budweiser Football Party at the Park," with drawings for football tickets and memorabilia throughout the afternoon.

On Sunday, closing day of the summer session, the 2-year-old stars of tomorrow will be showcased in the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (G3) and the $100,000 Sorority Stakes for fillies. Both races will be run at six furlongs.

The third stakes to be run Sunday is the $70,000 Twin Lights, which matches 3-year-old fillies at a mile and an eighth on the turf.

Sunday is "Fan Appreciation Day," and there will be free grandstand admission and half-price clubhouse admission for that program.

Both Saturday and Sunday will be "Family Fun Days," with activities for children that include free pony rides, face painters, clowns and inflatable bounce houses.

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August 29, 2007
PRESIOUS PASSION READY FOR ANOTHER BIG TEST IN RED BANK
Monmouth Park.com

Presious Passion, a 4-year-old son of Royal Anthem, has already demonstrated his love of Monmouth's turf course and the one-mile distance. Now he just has to bring that success story to a graded stakes, which he'll try to do in Saturday's $150,000 Red Bank Stakes (G3).

The gelding has been a top performer here the last two seasons for trainer Mary Hartmann. Last year, he won the Jersey Derby on the grass, and this year took a one-mile allowance event. He was second in the Bob Harding Stakes, beaten just a length by Baron Von Tap.

But in his graded stakes tries, he's been far back, as when he finished seventh in the Grade 3 Oceanport Stakes here on Aug. 5, his most recent outing.

"He was too far back in that race," Hartmann said. "The rider (Eddie Castro) fought him to get him to take back off the pace, and then he didn't have anything left in the stretch. That was the way he wanted to run last year. He wanted to be taken back and make one late run.

"But not this year," Hartmann said. "This year he seems to want to lay closer to the pace. So if we let him do what he wants, I'm hoping for a better result."

Presious Passion has had a different rider in each of his four starts this year, and Hartmann said she hasn't decided who she'll use Saturday.

The one-mile Red Bank is expected to draw a field of at least eight, including Amenable, Baron Von Tap, Giant Wrecker, Gimme Credit, Icy Atlantic, Touched By Madness, and possibly Shake the Bank.

Kiss the Kid, who was second to Silent Roar in the Oceanport and considered a definite starter, coughed earlier this week, and trainer Amy Tarrant said she will most likely hold him out of the Red Bank. He's being treated with antibiotics and his training has been curtailed somewhat.

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August 29, 2007
PARK AVENUE BALL MAY USE ICECAPADE AS COMEBACK SPOT
Monmouth Park.com

Char-Mari Stable's Park Avenue Ball, the multiple Monmouth stakes winner who hasn't run in three months, may be ready to roll again in Saturday's $100,000 Icecapade Stakes, trainer Jim Ryerson said.

"He could be up to running in the Icecapade," Ryerson said. "It looks like a good spot for him to start back."

Park Avenue Ball, a 5-year-old son of Citidancer, has won a graded stakes each season of his racing career, including the Iselin Stakes (G3) here last year.

However, this year, he's had just three starts - two in Florida and his turf debut in the Elkwood here on May 26.

The New Jersey-bred underwent throat surgery in late May to correct a breathing problem, and has been working steadily for his return.

His most recent breeze here last Saturday - five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 - indicates he's getting ready for action.

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August 29, 2007
PRINCESS JANIE WINS MONGO QUEEN STAKES AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Princess Janie gained command rounding the far turn and then turned the race into a runaway through the stretch as she captured the $75,000 Mongo Queen Stakes by nearly seven lengths at Monmouth Park on Wednesday.

The winner, trained by Cam Gambolati and ridden by Stewart Elliott, raced the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 1/5 and paid $3.60, $2.10 and $2.10 across the board as the odds-on favorite in the field of six 3-year-old fillies.

Astor Park, the 8-5 second choice, rallied to take the place spot, two lengths before Bianco, to complete the $7.20 exacta.

Princess Janie turned the tables on Astor Park today after finishing second to that filly here on June 30 in the Dearly Precious Stakes. This was the second Monmouth stakes victory of the season for the daughter of Elusive Quality, who took the Just Smashing Stakes in May.

Princess Janie improved her career record to 3-2-0 in six starts for owners Ol Memorial Stable & C.E. Glasscock. The $45,000 winner's share of today's purse upped her bankroll to $130,520.

"Everything worked out perfect today,"Gambolati said. "I thought she was the best horse no matter what, but we had an absolutely perfect trip. We'll look at the stakes on Breeders' Cup Week (Miss Woodford, Oct. 27). You know she likes this racetrack."

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August 28, 2007
ASTOR PARK RETURNS TO MONMOUTH TO TOP MONGO QUEEN
Monmouth Park.com

Astor Park, a stakes winner at Monmouth who comes off a try against Grade 1 company, tops a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in the $75,000 Mongo Queen Stakes, which highlights the Wednesday card at Monmouth.

The filly by Ecton Park is trained by Todd Pletcher, the leading trainer here, and ridden by Joe Bravo, the leading rider. Astor Park, owned by Gary Barber and Team Valor Stables, drew the rail in the six-furlong event and will likely be an odds-on favorite.

Ol Memorial Stable & C.E. Glasscock's Princess Janie, winner of the Just Smashing Stakes here in May and second to Astor Park in the Dearly Precious Stakes here on June 30, goes from Post 7 with Stewart Elliott aboard. The Elusive Quality filly, trained by Cam Gambolati, has turned in three strong workouts to get ready for her return to action.

The others entered, from the rail out, are Oliver Adam & Paxton Anderson's All American Miz, Carlos Quinones aboard; Padua Stables' Bianco, Jose Lezcano; Gilbert G. Campbell's Pleasure Seeker, David Mello; Wertheimer and Frere's Rolling Grace, Chris DeCarlo; Charles T.Matses' Shananies Song, Frankie Pennington, and Joel A. Kligman's Suzy Smart, Eddie Castro.

Astor Park made the Dearly Precious Stakes her third straight career win, and brought a perfect 3-for-3 record into the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 4. She failed to reproduce her winning form, finishing ninth in the seven-furlong event.

Pletcher also trains Rolling Grace, a Dixieland Band filly who broke her maiden at Monmouth on May 20 in her second lifetime start. Last out, she was third in an allowance race here.

Princess Janie broke her maiden at Gulfstream in March and won the Just Smashing in her Monmouth debut. She tried the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes at Belmont after that, and ran fifth. She returned to Monmouth to run second behind Astor Park in the Dearly Precious.

Trainer Ned Allard will saddle both Pleasure Seeker and Shananies Song.

Pleasure Seeker, by West Acre, is unbeaten in two lifetime starts. The filly broke her maiden last year at Calder, and won her only start this year on July 29 at Philly Park.

This will be the seasonal debut for Shananies Song, a daughter of Eltish who won the Finger Lakes Juvenile Filly Stakes in her most recent start on Oct. 7.

This will be the fourth straight stakes start at Monmouth for Bianco, a Yes It's True filly trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. Her best finish here to date was a third behind Astor Park and Princess Janie in the Dearly Precious.

Suzy Smart, who was second to Princess Janie in the Just Smashing, tried graded stakes company last out in the Monmouth Oaks (G3), where she finished sixth behind Talkin About Love. She returns to sprinting in the Mongo Queen, which has always been her best game.

All American Miz comes off a stakes try at Charles Town for trainer Phil Schoenthal. The Grand Slam filly finished fourth in the Aug. 5 event.

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August 28, 2007
TOP JOCK IS BRAVO, TRAINER/OWNER RACES TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Monmouth Park.com

Just five racing days remain in the 2007 Monmouth Park season and Joe Bravo is set to win his 13th riding title at the shore racetrack, while the races for top trainer and owner remain too close to call.

Through 70 days of racing, Bravo has piloted 102 winners, 23 more than his nearest competitor, Eddie Castro.

Over in the trainer's column, Todd Pletcher continues to show the way with 31 victories, three more than the pair of Bruce Levine and Jason Servis.  Pletcher has two horses entered on Wednesday and four on Thursday.  Servis has four horses set for Wednesday's card and one for Thursday.  Levine has a pair of runners on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Peter Kazamias, with 12 wins, leads Patricia Generazio by one victory in the race for the meet's top owner. 

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August 28, 2007
BEACON STREET GRILLE, MARTELL'S TOP SUNDAY'S CRAB COOK-OFF
Monmouth Park.com

With over a thousand crab cakes served at Monmouth Park during Sunday's Shore Region Tourism Council's Shore Chef Crab Cook-Off, Beacon Street Grille and Martell's Shrimp Bar walked off with the top prizes.

Several area restaurants participated in the event, which pitted local eateries in a contest to determine who serves the best crab cake.  At the end of the day the judge's selected Beacon Street Grille, located on Route 66 in Neptune, while the fan favorite award went to Martell's Shrimp Bar, located on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach.

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August 26, 2007
CARROTS ONLY WINS HESSE HANDICAP BEFORE 15,568 ON SUNDAY
Monmouth Park.com

JOEY P. TAKES FRIENDLY LOVER, JERSEY GIRL GOES TO JENNY BEAN GIRL

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Monmouth Park celebrated the 5th annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival on Sunday as 15,568 fans watched Carrots Only run down pacesetter Fagedaboudit Sal and post a neck victory in the featured $135,000 Charles Hesse Jersey Breeders' Handicap.

Carrots Only covered the mile and a sixteenth over a fast main track in 1:42 2/5 and returned $5.20, $3 and $2.80 as the favorite in the field of eight colts and geldings.  Fagedaboudit Sal completed the $15.40 exacta and paid $3 and $2.80.  It was 7 1/4 lengths back to Midnight Express, who paid $5.60 to show.

"At the 1/8th pole I wasn't sure I'd get there," said winning rider Chris DeCarlo.  "At the 1/16th pole I was a little more confident.  I just sat back early with this horse and made my move in the middle of the turn.  After that he just kept on coming."

Trainer John Mazza, who scored his first victory of the meet with Carrots Only in the Hesse Handicap, said, "He ran a big one.  I've been with Holly Crest Farm for 40 years and Charlie (Hesse) was a dear friend, so this means a lot."

The Hesse win was the eighth in 31 starts for Carrots Only, who won this race two years ago as a 4-year-old.  Sunday's win boosted Carrots Only's lifetime bankroll to $364,828.  The 6-year-old by Defrere from the Brocco mare Veggie races in the colors of Holly Crest Farm.

In the $110,000 Friendly Lover Handicap, Joey P. shot through on the inside at the quarter pole before drawing off to a 2 1/2-length score, stepping the six furlongs over the main track in 1:09 3/5.

Trained by Ben Perkins Jr., Joey P. returned $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10 as the preferred half of the entry with John's Pic (both geldings are owned by John Petrini).  Charley's Diamond completed a $13.40 exacta and paid $3.60 and $2.60.  It was another half-length back to Karakorum Tuxedo, who paid $2.80 to show in the field of seven colts and geldings.

"Ben did a great job to get this horse ready," said winning rider Joe Bravo, who's poised to take his 13th Monmouth riding title.  "He's one of those horses any owner would love to have.  He tries so hard.  He's head and toes above the Jersey-bred class."

Sunday's win marked the 12th in 22 starts for Joey P., a 5-year-old by Close Up from the Luckey Jin Beau mare Luckey Lipco, who has now earned $579,333.

The $110,000 Jersey Girl Handicap saw Jenny Bean Girl close down the center of the course and post a 1 1/4 length win after covering the mile and a sixteenth in 1:44 3/5.

Ridden by Stewart Elliott, his fourth winner on the card, Jenny Bean Girl returned $4, $3.40 and $2.40 as the favorite in the field of seven fillies and mares.  Jersey Gia completed a $39.80 exacta and paid $8 and $4.  Solar Powered, the early pacesetter, tired to be third, good for a $4 show mutuel.

"She wasn't much as a 2-year-old, so we gave her time and she's certainly paid us back for that," said winning trainer J. Willard Thompson.  "The Meadowlands is definitely in her immediate future.  I don't believe she'll be bred this winter.  I think we'll see her back here next year."

The Jersey Girl win was the 6th in 28 starts for Jenny Bean Girl, a 5-year-old mare by Sefapiano from the Dixieland Band mare That's a Plenty.  She has now earned $315,733 for her owner Ocean View Stables.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, Aug. 29, for the final week of live racing at the 2007 Thoroughbred meet, which concludes on Sunday, Sept. 2.  Live racing opens at the Meadowlands on Monday, Sept. 3.  Monmouth Park will host a special four-day meet from Oct. 24-27, culminating with the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, powered by Dodge.

As always, the racetrack is open for simulcasting seven days a week from across the country and around the globe.

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August 26, 2007
JAIME KIRNOS WINS $300 HANDICAPPING CONTEST

Monmouth Park.com

Jaime Kirnos of Herndon, Virginia turned his $200 betting card into $4,542.50 to steal first place in Monmouth Park's $300 Handicapping Contest Saturday. Kirnos had yet to hit the top twenty five leader board going into the second to last race at Saratoga.  Kirnos played his remaining card balance of $158 on Starforaday (#2).  Starforaday rewarded handsomely, returning $57.50 on a $2 wager. 

Kirnos bested 244 other players to earn a spot in the 2008 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Contest in Las Vegas.  Ricky Zimmer finished second with $1,897.20 and also earned a berth to the National Handicapping Contest.  Both players also won Breeders' Cup tickets in addition to their prize money.

Complete Top Ten Results Below:

Total Prize*   Bankroll        Name

*Prizes based on 245 entries.

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August 25, 2007
FAGEDABOUDIT SAL READY TO ROLL IN JERSEY BREEDERS ‘CAP
Monmouth Park.com

Fagedaboudit Sal is a very important horse to trainer Luis Carvajal Jr. Not only is the 4-year-old the top winner in his barn, he also represents the last best link to Bobby Durso, Carvajal’s mentor, prominent trainer and all-around great guy who passed away in January. Durso was the trainer of record when Fagedaboudit Sal began his career in 2005.

“He’s my Frisk Me Now,” Carvajal said of Fagedaboudit Sal, who will be favored to win Sunday’s $135,000 Charles Hesse Jersey Breeders Handicap. He was referring to the multiple graded stakes winner that Durso trained when Carvajal was his assistant.

Fagedaboudit Sal, who has won both state-bred stakes he’s been in this year, gave Carvajal a scare Friday morning when he just went through the motions during morning exercise.

“There was a lot of coughing in the barn, and on the backside in general,” Carvajal said. “I was worried that he would start coughing. He just wasn’t acting right.

“But the vet checked him out thoroughly this morning (Saturday) and he received a clean bill of health. And when I took him to the track today, he almost tore my arm off. The track was pretty muddy Friday morning, and I think he was just protecting himself, and not extending himself over that footing. Today, the track was much better and he was his old self.”

“Sal” won the Bernie Dowd Handicap in June with a big move around the turn, but last out took the Lincroft Handicap with a front-running effort under jockey Chuck Lopez.

Carvajal was asked if the horse was going to the front again in the mile and a sixteenth Jersey Breeders.

Lopez, standing nearby, answered the question.

“I’m not getting’ dirty,” he said with a smile. “Nope, I’m not getting’ dirty.”

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August 25, 2007
SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL TIME FOR ‘COWBOY,’ SUMMER STING
Monmouth Park.com

Who’s the Cowboy, a dominant force in New Jersey-bred sprints last year when he won four stakes, is winless in his four outings this season, and owner Gerry Sleeter says it’s time for a shakeup.

The 5-year-old Cowboy is no better than fifth choice in a seven-horse field in Sunday’s $110,000 Friendly Lover Handicap, but he’ll have a new rider for the first time in more than two years. Pedro Cotto Jr. will replace Eddie King Jr., who has ridden the horse in 22 of his 28 lifetime starts.

“It’s not anything Eddie did,” Sleeter said about the change “But it was definitely time to shake things up and see what happens. Eddie’s been riding him for two years. Maybe the horse is bored and just needs somebody different to tell him what to do.”

Last year, the son of Intensity won the Friendly Lover ‘Cap by four and a half lengths over Hey Chub, a rival he faces again Sunday. But when he came back again this year in the Decathlon Stakes, he was a dull third behind Joey P., another Sunday rival. In his subsequent efforts, he was beaten a neck by Hey Chub in the John J. Reilly ‘Cap, and then finished third behind Joey P. in the Colts Neck ‘Cap. Last out he never looked like winning while third against open company in the Teddy Drone Stakes.

“He looks the same as he did last year,” Sleeter said. “He’s sound, he trains great. He’s just not running the same way. We’re hoping a change like this will wake him up.”

Sleeter will employ the same tactics of change with Summer Sting, a 5-year-old mare who will be one of the choices in the $110,000 Jersey Girl Handicap. Summer Sting gets a new rider in Cotto, and stretches out to a mile and a sixteenth for just the second time in her life.

The mare won an open allowance event this year for her only victory in four starts, but was far back in the Goldfinch against state-breds and the open Regret Stakes. She has raced at two turns once in her 21-race career, finishing fourth in the Honeybee Stakes at the Meadowlands last year.

“I don’t think it was the distance that hurt her,” Sleeter said. “She just doesn’t like the Meadowlands. She’s never run well there at any distance. So I’m treating this as if it’s her first distance race. I think she’ll do just fine around two turns.”

Hey Chub, unlike Who’s the Cowboy, has been a model of consistency this year, although it’s only been a two-race season so far. The 7-year-old son of Carson City beat Who’s the Cowboy in the Reilly on May 26, and last out was second to Joey P. in the Colts Neck on July 4.

“His races are certainly well-spaced,” said Jamie Woodington, who took over Hey Chub’s training this year from owner Danny Lopez. “But that’s by circumstance, not design.

“He’s got no conditions, and I don’t really want to run him in open company, so the only option is state-bred sprint stakes. They’ve run three this year, and he’s been in all of them,” the trainer said.

“He’s doing fine as ever,” Woodington said. “He knows how to run. I just keep him happy.”

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August 25, 2007
MC CAULEY GETTING READY TO MAKE HIS RIDING COMEBACK
Monmouth Park.com

Herb McCauley, one of the leading jockeys at Monmouth in the 1980s and ‘90s until he was injured in 1998, said Saturday he expects to start his comeback on Labor Day.

The 50-year-old McCauley, who shattered his leg in a spill here, was galloping horses this morning for trainer Greg Sacco before going to nearby Colts Neck Farm, where he has been working steadily for trainer Alan Goldberg.

“I’m looking to start back riding on Labor Day,” he said. “Either at the Meadowlands or Saratoga.

“I’m feeling good, and I’ve got my weight down to 115 with the help of a physical trainer and a nutritionist. I’m looking forward to riding again.”

McCauley, who won the 1983 Haskell Invitational aboard Deputed Testamony, was the leading apprentice rider at Monmouth in 1976, and won three riding titles at the Meadowlands in the early 1980s.

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August 25, 2007
HYSTERICALADY LEADS EVERY STEP TO WIN MOLLY PITCHER BY 6 1/4
Monmouth Park.com

LEXI STAR EDGES INDIA FOR 2ND; ERES MAGICA UPSETS OMNIBUS

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Hystericalady provided absolutely no drama in the $300,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) as she dominated every step of the way to score by six and a quarter lengths at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Sent off the 7-5 favorite in the field of seven fillies and mares, Hystericalady took command right out of the gate, set comfortable fractions all the way, and widened her lead the final furlong to stop the timer in 1:41 4/5 for the mile and a sixteenth.

Lexi Star, an 11-1 chance, rallied late to gain second by a neck over India, who went off the second choice at 2-1.

Hystericalady, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, paid $4.80, $3.60 and $2.60 across the board and topped the $43.60 exacta. Lexi Star paid $8.40 and $5.20, while India was $3.40 to show.

"I knew she was fast," said Castro, who scored his third win of the day on the filly. "I just wanted to get her out there and get her to relax early on. She did just that. She settled down nicely and when we turned for home, she had plenty left. She showed just how good she is today."

"We were a little discouraged after her last at Hollywood (third in the G 1 Vanity)," Hollendorfer said. "We'll take her back to California now and come up with a training and racing regimen with the Breeders' Cup here in mind."

Hystericalady, who won the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs in May, and then ran second in the Grade 2 Milady and third in the Grade 1 Vanity, both over the synthetic track at Hollywood Park, earned $180,000 for her Molly Pitcher triumph. She improved her career record to 7-1-1 in 13 starts and raised her earnings to $776,859 for the partnership of Rancho San Miguel, Hollendorfer & Toda.

Hystericalady set fractions of :48 for the half, 1:11 4/5 for six furlongs and 1:35 3/5 for the mile as India chased in second and Lexi Star raced third. Nearing the wire, the winner drew off easily from her competition, as Lexi Star wore down India to gain the place.

In the $70,000 Omnibus Stakes, Lael Stables' Eres Magica, content to trail most of the way, unleashed a huge burst of speed in the stretch that carried her to a one-length upset victory over Greenery, the 4-5 favorite.

Eres Magica, trained by Michael Matz and ridden by Jose Lezcano, raced the mile and three-eighths over a turf course labeled "good" in 2:13 1/5, and paid $40, $11 and $6.40 across the board as one of the outsiders in the field of eight fillies and mares.

Greenery passed front-running Anura late to take the place by three-quarters of a length and complete the $91.20 exacta.

This was the first U.S. victory for Eres Magica, a Chilean-bred daughter of Stuka, whose last win came in a Group 1 stakes race in Chile last November. This was her fourth start in the U.S., and the first time she finished better than fifth.

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August 24, 2007
'HOME TEAM' BEARS WATCHING IN SATURDAY'S MOLLY PITCHER
Monmouth Park.com

Saturday's $300,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) came up with a solid field of eight to contest the 62nd running of the storied event for fillies and mares.

Two invaders - Hystericalady from California and Kettleoneup from Kentucky - will draw the bulk of pari-mutuel support, but it would pay not to overlook the "home team."

Lyon Stables' India and Silly Goose Racing Stable's Prop Me Up are both stakes winners at Monmouth. Granted, they were overnight stakes, but the fact that the two fillies have shown an affinity for this track, and the fact that they train over it every day is an angle worth considering.

India, trained by Todd Pletcher, won the Without Feathers here last year as a 3-year-old, and then went on to take the Grade 2 Cotillion Stakes. She kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with a victory in the Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn Park, but then was eased in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom.

There was a big question of whether she could rebound from that when she made her first local start of the season in the July 6 Miss Liberty Stakes (her first start in three months). She answered with an emphatic four and a half-length score, and thus comes into the Molly Pitcher with a perfect two-for-two mark at Monmouth.

"She came out of that race in good shape, and she's doing well right now," said Anthony Sciametta Jr., Pletcher's assistant at Monmouth. "But this is a different bunch than she faced in that race.

"She won graded stakes last year, and now the question is whether she's back up to that level. We'll find out Saturday."

Monmouth's leading jockey, Joe Bravo, will be riding for Monmouth's leading trainer Saturday, another factor to keep an eye on. Bravo has ridden India four times and has three wins aboard the Hennessy filly.

Prop Me Up, a 5-year-old daughter of Reparations who came into trainer Greg Sacco's barn at the end of July, has a perfect on-the-board record of 4-4-1 in 9 starts at Monmouth.

In her first start for her new trainer (Kelly Breen conditioned her through July of this year), Prop Me Up drew off to a length and three-quarters victory in the Lady's Secret Stakes on Aug. 5.

Bravo was aboard in 17 of her 28 career starts - including seconds in the Grade 2 Rampart at Gulfstream and the Grade 3 Matchmaker on the turf here, and a third in the Grade 3 Eatontown. But since he's riding India Saturday, Sacco had to come up with a new rider. He gave the job to Chuck Lopez, who has done top-notch works in stakes this season with upset wins aboard Gottcha Gold in the Salvator Mile and Iselin Stakes.

"She's definitely a horse for the course," Sacco said. "And she's doing super right now. The others may have a little more class, but we have the home field advantage. Everybody else has to ship in, but we're right here."

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August 24, 2007
SUNDAY'S A FESTIVAL WITH RACING, FOOD IN SPOTLIGHT
Monmouth Park.com

Sunday will bring a whirlwind of activities to Monmouth Park, with a 10-race program devoted solely to New Jersey-bred Thoroughbreds; a food festival featuring several Shore restaurants; a Shore Chef Crab Cake Cook-Off competition; a folding chair giveaway, and Monmouth's regular Family Fun Day activities.

The fifth annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival racing program, sponsored by the Malouf Auto Group, will provide 10 opportunities for state-breds to show their talent, with four stakes races included on the card.

The food festival begins when the gates open at 11:30 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. in Monmouth's grandstand. Those attending the track can purchase food from the stands of the participating restaurants - Bahrs, Beacon Street Grille, Brandl, Martell's Sea Breeze, McLoone's Pier House, and the Seaside Crab House. In addition, Monmouth's on-track caterer, Aramark, will also participate.

The restaurants will compete in a crab cake cook-off with fans in attendance voting for the best crab cake. The contest is sponsored by The Star-Ledger's Munchmobile.

There will be a folding chair giveaway, with a free chair for each paid admission.

Normal Family Fun Day activities include free pony rides, face painters, clowns, and bounce houses. 

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August 23, 2007
KETTLEONEUP A FRESH AND FIT INVADER IN MOLLY PITCHER
Monmouth Park.com

Kettleoneup, an invader from Kentucky, will be fresh, fit and dangerous in Saturday’s $300,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2).

The 4-year-old filly by Victory Gallop, who arrived by van Tuesday night from Churchill Downs, has settled into her Monmouth Park stall, and D.W. Fries, assistant to trainer Mike Tomlinson, expects good things in the mile and a sixteenth Molly Pitcher.

“She’s doing really well,” Fries said of the filly, who has been freshened for nine weeks following a busy winter-spring campaign. “She’s been training great, and she shipped well.”

The filly has been getting ready to come back with a string of solid drills at Churchill Downs. She logged a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 on Aug. 4, and in her final breeze for the Molly Pitcher went five-eighths in 1:00 2/5 last Saturday, the best of 18 works at the distance that day.

Kettleoneup, owned by Tom Crouch and named for a brand of vodka, won the Grade 3 Sixty Sails Handicap at Hawthorne, was second in the Grade 3 Azalea Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and third in both the Grade 2 Maryland Distaff at Pimlico and Grade 2 Fleur de Lis ‘Cap at Churchill through the first six months of the year.

Last year she won two of seven starts once she was tried on dirt tracks, after making three of her first four outings on Polytrack at Turfway Park.

“She didn’t handle the Polytrack well at all,” Fries said. “Some horses love it, some hate it, and there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. She’s been a different filly on the dirt.”

Kettleoneup was out for a mile and a half gallop around the muddy Monmouth track Thursday morning, and schooled in the paddock on Wednesday. She’s scheduled to gallop and stand in the starting gate Friday morning.

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August 23, 2007
4 STAKES, FOLDING CHAIR GIVEAWAY TOP N.J. FESTIVAL SUNDAY
Monmouth Park.com

The fifth annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival, presented by Malouf Auto Group, will celebrate state-bred Thoroughbreds at Monmouth Park on Sunday, with 10 races scheduled for N.J.-breds.

All paid admissions will receive a free folding chair while supplies last, and Family Fun Day activities will be part of the celebration.

The day’s program includes four stakes events, topped by the $125,000 Jersey Breeders’ Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth.

The other events scheduled are the $100,000 Friendly Lover Handicap at six furlongs, which will provide a rematch of archrivals Joey P. and Who’s the Cowboy; the $100,000 Jersey Girl Handicap at a mile and a sixteenth for fillies and mares, and the $100,000 Eleven North Handicap at six furlongs for fillies and mares.

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August 23, 2007
10 PERCENT PURSE INCREASE IN EFFECT FOR FINAL WEEK OF MEET
Monmouth Park.com

An across-the-board purse increase of approximately 10 percent will be in effect for the final seven days of racing at Monmouth’s summer meeting, Saturday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 2.

Racing secretary Mike Dempsey said claiming races from $5,000 to $19,000 will have purses raised $2,000. Claiming races from $20,000 to $50,000 will have their purses hiked $3,000.

Purses for maiden special weight races will increase by $4,000, and all allowance races will be raised by $5,000. All overnight stakes will be worth an extra $10,000 for the final seven days.

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August 23, 2007
EDDIE PLESA JR. NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Eddie Plesa Jr., who saddled Gottcha Gold to upset the Grade 3 Iselin Stakes last Saturday, has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Plesa will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Plesa sent out Gottcha Gold to use his front-running tactics to upset the Iselin at odds of 15-1. It was the second straight graded stakes upset of the meet for the 4-year-old Gottcha Gold, who beat odds-on Lawyer Ron in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile in June.

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August 22, 2007
TRAINERS MAKING PLANS FOR TOP THREE ISELIN FINISHERS
Monmouth Park.com

Gottcha Gold and Brother Bobby, who ran one-two in last Saturday’s Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes, may meet again in the $500,000 Massachusetts Handicap on Sept. 22.

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., who saddled Centaur Farms’ Gottcha Gold to win the Iselin for his second straight graded stakes upset here (he also won the Grade 3 Salvator Mile in June), said he was plotting the best course to get his colt to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, which will be run here on Friday, Oct. 26. That might involve either training Gottcha Gold up to the $1 million event, or using the Mass ‘Cap as a prep.

“We’re going to look at the Mass ‘Cap,” he said. “The time frame makes it a race we could use. He also runs well fresh. We won’t make a decision right now.”

Brother Bobby, who finished four and a half lengths behind Gottcha Gold in the Iselin, may also be headed to Suffolk Downs, but trainer Grant Forster has several other options.

The trainer, who was out in Washington to oversee his horses at Emerald Downs, has four races in mind for his gelding’s next start, said Frank Best, Forster’s assistant at Monmouth.

“Grant is thinking about the Mass ‘Cap, the Meadowlands Cup (Grade 23, Oct. 5), the Hawthorne Gold Cup (Grade 2, Sept. 29), or the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Grade 1, Sept. 30),” Best said.

“The horse came out of the race just fine,” he said. “He walked for four days, and he’ll go to the track again on Thursday morning.”

Indy Wind, who finished third in the Iselin, nine lengths behind the winner, will start next in either the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont or the Meadowlands Cup, said owner-trainer Amy Tarrant.

“I was a little disappointed in his race,” Tarrant said, “because I didn’t learn what I needed to learn about how far he wants to go. In that respect, it wasn’t a good race. But he came out of it fine, and I just have to decide where he runs next.”

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August 21, 2007
BRAVO A NEAR CERTAINTY FOR 13TH TITLE, PLETCHER KAZAMIAS LEAD
Monmouth Park.com

With just 10 days of racing to go at the 2007 Monmouth Park meeting, Joe Bravo appears poised to take an unprecedented 13th riding title at the Oceanport Racetrack.  Through 65 days of racing, Bravo has 96 winners, 21 more than his closest competitor, Eclipse Award winner Eddie Castro.

Jose Lezcano is third in the overall standings with 64 victories, 11 more than Chuck C. Lopez.  Rajiv Maragh rounds out the top five with 50 trips to the winner's circle.

Over in the trainer's column, Todd Pletcher shows the way with 30 wins, four more than Jason Servis, who has one victory more than Bruce Levine.  Richard Dutrow Jr. is fourth with 23 wins, a pair more than Patricia Farro.

The owner's race has Peter Kazamias atop the standings with 12 victories, two more than Patricia Generazio.  Tied in third with eight wins apiece are the trio of Presidential Thoroughbreds, Leo-Sag Stable and John Petrini.

The 2007 Monmouth Park meeting runs through Sunday, Sept. 2 with Thoroughbred action shifting north to the Meadowlands on Monday, Sept. 3.  Racing will return to Oceanport from Oct. 24 - 27, when Monmouth Park plays host to the 2007 Breeders' Cup.

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August 21, 2007
NEW JERSEY THOROUGHBRED FESTIVAL RETURNS ON SUNDAY, AUG. 26
Monmouth Park.com

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival will celebrate its 5th anniversary this Sunday with an entire race card dedicated to horses bred in the Garden State.  Four stakes are on tap for New Jersey-Bred Day:  Charles Hesse Handicap, Eleven North Handicap, Friendly Lover Handicap and the Jersey Girl Handicap.

In addition, the Monmouth Coaching Invitational will be on hand with horse drawn coaches on display and a demonstration down the home stretch.  For details and reservations, contract the Monmouth Conservation Foundation at 732-671-7000. 

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August 19, 2007
JUNIOR CHAMPION STAKES GOES TO SALES TAX
Monmouth Park.com

PAIR OF DEAD-HEATS IN 7TH RACE ON SUNDAY'S CARD

OCEANPORT, N.J. - William M. Backer's Sales Tax split horses in the stretch before drawing off to a two length win in the $60,000 Junior Champion Stakes at Monmouth Park before a Sunday crowd of 11,312.

Trained by Hamilton Smith, Sales Tax, sent off the favorite, returned $6.40, $3.60 and $3.20 after stepping the mile on "good" turf in 1:36 4/5.  Sammy Van Ammy rallied to complete a $26 exacta and paid $4.40 and $3.80.  It was a nose back to Sumwhrovrtherainbw, who paid $6.80 to show in the field of ten 2-year-old fillies.

"She broke for the lead, but I didn't want to go with the speed," said winning rider Rajiv Maragh, after riding his third winner on the card.  "On the program she looked the best.  She won going away."

Sunday's win marked the second in three outings for Sales Tax, a daughter of High Yield from the Fit to Fight mare Snit.  She has now earned $74,400 for her owner.

Earlier in the day, a racing rarity took place as a pair of dead-heats occurred in the seventh race, a $38,000 entry-level allowance for fillies and mares.

Dattts Our Girl ($6, $6.20 and $3.20) and Maddy's Heart ($5.60, $5.80 and $3.20) simultaneously hit the wire in front.  It was just a neck back to Oh Deanne O ($2.40), the post-time favorite, and Succeed ($2.40), who also crossed the finish at the exact moment for the show spot.  The dead-heats led to a pair of exacta payoffs as well as four trifecta returns.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, Aug. 22 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always, the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcasting from across the country and around the globe.    

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August 18, 2007
GOTTCHA GOLD ROMPS HOME A 4 1/2 LENGTH WINNER IN THE ISELIN
Monmouth Park.com

BROTHER BOBBY RALLIES FOR 2ND; INDY WIND 3RD IN GRADE 3 RACE

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Centaur Farms' Gottcha Gold broke on top but was headed early by Barcola before opening up around the far turn and romping home a 4 1/2 length winner in the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday before a crowd of 11,114.

Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., Gottcha Gold carved out fractions of :23 for the quarter and :46 for the half before cruising to six furlongs in 1:09 4/5 and reported home in 1:48 1/5 for the mile and an eighth over a fast main track.

"My main concern was the extra 1/8th of a mile to negotiate," said winning rider Chuck C. Lopez.  "My plan was to get him out there and go along as easy as possible.  My job is to just keep him running and keep him happy."

Gottcha Gold returned $32.20, $13.80 and $7.80 in the Grade 3 Iselin and topped a $308.80 exacta.  Brother Bobby returned $8.60 and $5.40 coming home 4 1/2 lengths ahead of Indy Wind, who paid $5.60 to show.  Master Command, the 6-5 favorite, checked in fourth in the field of eight colts and geldings.

"Chuckie rode an outstanding race," said Plesa, who watched the race from his Florida headquarters.  "I never thought he should've been 15-1.  He just loves New Jersey."

Gottcha Gold was coming off a win in the Grade 3 Salvator Mile here on June 23, besting Lawyer Ron that day by a neck.

As for future plans with Gottcha Gold, "We'll definitely look a the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (here on Oct. 26), no doubt about that," Plesa said.  "I might sit still on him until then.  He likes the surface and I'm not sure he'll need a race between now and then."

The Iselin win marked the 7th in 22 starts for the 4-year-old colt by Coronado's Quest from the Pleasant Tap mare Gottcha Last.  He now sports a Monmouth Park record of 5-2-0 from nine tries in Oceanport.  The $180,000 winner's share boosted his lifetime bankroll to $487,420.

In the $60,000 Anderson Fowler Stakes, Victory Thoroughbreds' Cherokee Country went from last to first at the 1/8th pole before opening up to a convincing four length score with little urging from jockey Jose Lezcano.

Trained by Ramon Preciado, Cherokee Country returned $4.20 and $2.80 as the favorite in the field reduced to four runners after it was switched to the main track.  Heezafrequentflyer, who dueled through the early fractions of :21 4/5 and :45 flat, held second to complete a $19.20 exacta and paid $4.20 to place.  Southwestern Heat was third with Tempt Me Not fourth.  There was no show wagering in the Anderson Fowler.

A 3-year-old colt by Yonaguska from the Tri Jet mare Jetazelle, Cherokee Country has now earned $216,610 with a record of 7-3-1 from 13 starts.  He stepped the 5 1/2 furlongs over the fast main track in 1:03 3/5.

In other Saturday stakes action, Atoned took command turning for home and increased his margin to three lengths at the wire, winning the $60,000 Continental Mile in 1:38 4/5 over the fast main track.

Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Chris DeCarlo Atoned returned $6.80, $4.80 and $2.80 and topped a $34 exacta.  Hop Skip and Away closed for the place and paid $5.20 and $3.80.  It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to the favorite Run Sully Run who paid $2.80 to show in the field of seven 2-year-olds.

A colt by Repent from the Icecapade mare Amidst, Atoned recorded his second consecutive win in taking the Continental Mile, a race originally scheduled for turf.  He has now earned $65,087 for owner Dogwood Stable.  

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August 17, 2007
PAPI CHULLO BACK AT MONMOUTH, BUT IN A BETTER SPOT
Monmouth Park.com

As a 3-year-old, Papi Chullo was pitched high on a regular basis, running in two graded stakes while still a maiden. But perhaps his toughest assignment was when he came to Monmouth in August of 2005 to run in the $1 million Haskell Invitational. Toughest, because he came into the Grade 1 just three weeks after breaking his maiden at Belmont.

As might have been predicted, Papi Chullo finished sixth behind Roman Ruler in what turned out to be his last race of the year.

Fast forward to August of 2007, and Papi Chullo returns to Monmouth for the first time in two years to run in Saturday's $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3). The difference is, he's now a stakes winner, and has taken two of three since he was sold to Winning Move Stable & IEAH Stables with Gary Contessa as the trainer earlier this year.

"He didn't embarrass himself in the Haskell," said Contessa, who raced a successful stable at Monmouth for years before moving to New York. The trainer still runs horses at the Shore, and currently has eight winners from 25 starters at the meet. "He had just broken his maiden, and then he ran in the Haskell. He seemed to like the track."

Papi Chullo, a gray son of Comeonmom, has done his best running previously in Grade 3 events. Last year, he was second in both the Longacres Mile and Queens County Handicap.

After taking over the controls in April, Contessa put Papi Chullo in an allowance event at Belmont, and the horse showed his appreciation by winning off by more than seven lengths. He started next in an overnight stakes, and won the Birdstone by five lengths. Last out, Contessa aimed high, but Papi Chullo didn't do much running when ninth in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga.

"I'm going to chalk the Whitney up to a track he didn't like," Contessa said. "For whatever reason, he didn't handle the track at Saratoga. I think this horse likes a firmer, harder, faster track. Monmouth might be more to his liking.

"My horses have been really running good there. I know they're running fast there, but my horses have all performed well."

Papi Chullo will have Monmouth's leading rider Joe Bravo aboard when he meets seven rivals Saturday in the nine-furlong Iselin.

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August 17, 2007
LAKES TUNE LOWERS COURSE RECORD IN WINNING FRIDAY FEATURE
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - John Donato's Lakes Tune took command at the break before drawing off to a convincing four length score and set a new course record of :54 3/5 for five furlongs in the $40,000 allowance/optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park on Friday.

Trained by Juan Serey and ridden by Tommy Turner, Lakes Tune returned $4.60, $3.20 and $2.60 as the favorite in the field of eight fillies and mares.  Forever Grateful completed the $46.40 exacta and paid $10.80 and $4.20.  Big City Danse checked in third and paid $2.60.

It was the first win in 2007 for Lakes Tune, a 5-year-old mare by Concorde's Tune from the Siberian Express mare Siberian Lake.  She has now earned $93,580 for her owner. 

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August 16, 2007
BROTHER BOBBY A FRESH THREAT IN SATURDAY'S ISELIN STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

Brother Bobby moves back into the big time Saturday when he goes in the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3), and trainer Grant Forster thinks he's ready for the test.

"He has a history of running well fresh," the trainer said of his 4-year-old. "He's been training steadily at Monmouth since we got here last month, so it's time to try the big guys again."

Brother Bobby, a son of Out of Place, started off this year in great fashion, winning two of three allowance starts at Oaklawn, and just falling a nose short in the other.

Those performances encouraged Forster to start Brother Bobby in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, and the gelding put on a solid show as he ran second behind Lawyer Ron, who was the uncontested star of the Oaklawn meet.

"I'm hoping that was an indication of his quality," Forster said. "He ran a great race that day."

Brother Bobby was shipped to Churchill Downs, where he had broken his maiden in 2006, for his next start, the Grade 3 Alysheba Stakes on May 4. The track was muddy and slippery that day, and Brother Bobby finished fifth.

"He didn't like the track at all," Forster said. "I gave him that excuse. But I thought he should have won his next start."

That would be Brother Bobby's most recent effort, an allowance race at Churchill on May 26, in which he ran a "sluggish" third according to the chart.

"The only thing I can figure is that he was a little tired after running four times at Oaklawn, and then in the mud at Churchill," the trainer said.

"But now he's had time off, he's well rested, and he's been very sharp in his works here, so it seems he likes this track."

Stewart Elliott, who rode Brother Bobby in all four Oaklawn starts, has been aboard in the gelding's breezes at Monmouth.

"Stewart says he feels like he's working better than ever," Forster said, "so that's encouraging."

For the record, Brother Bobby has turned in nothing but bullet works since arriving at Monmouth in mid-July. His last breeze, on Sunday, was another black-letter drill as he went five furlongs in :58 4/5, the best of 58 works on the tab that morning.

In the mile and an eighth Iselin, Brother Bobby will have to take on some accomplished stakes runners in Master Command, a close third in last year's Iselin and winner of the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap this year; Gottcha Gold, winner of the Grade 3 Salvator Mile here last out; Barcola, coming off two stakes wins at Delaware; Papi Chullo, winner of the Birdstone at Belmont, and Indy Wind, who has won two stakes this year at Monmouth. 

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August 16, 2007
KEVIN SLEETER NAMED CASK 591 TRAINER OF THE WEEK
Monmouth Park.com

Kevin Sleeter, who saddled Talkin About Love to become the first New Jersey-bred winner of the Monmouth Oaks (G3), has been named the Cask 591 Trainer of the Week.

The award, bestowed by media covering Monmouth Park racing, is sponsored by Cask 591, a popular new restaurant and lounge located at 591 Broadway in Long Branch. Sleeter will receive a gift certificate from the restaurant.

Sleeter, who is also the owner and breeder of Talkin About Love, sent the Not for Love filly out to win her fifth straight race of the season at Monmouth in the 83rd running of the Monmouth Oaks, her first graded stakes attempt. The 3-year-old filly is the leading horse at the meeting with a perfect 5-for-5 record and $255,900 in earnings.

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August 15, 2007
INDY WIND HAS A LOT TO PROVE IN SATURDAY'S ISELIN STAKES
Monmouth Park.com

If you want to race in October, you have to win in August. It's simple, but it won't be that easy for Hardacre Farm's Indy Wind, who will try to use Saturday's $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) as a stepping-stone to bigger and better things.

"I want to try to get him to the Breeders' Cup," said owner-trainer Amy Tarrant. "But it all depends on this race.

"If he does well Saturday, I'm looking at either the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Grade 1 on Sept. 30) or the Meadowlands Stakes (Grade 2, Oct. 5).

"He has to earn his way into the Breeders' Cup by getting enough points in graded races," Tarrant said.

The Iselin, at a mile and an eighth, will be a good test for Indy Wind. The 5-year-old by A.P. Indy - Zagora, by Kingmambo, has been a Monmouth favorite since he burst on the scene as a 3-year-old in 2005 with two runaway victories. He won two races last year as a 4-year-old, and has taken two of five starts this year.

But he's never won a graded stakes, and he's never run beyond a mile and a sixteenth, so the Iselin represents a hill to climb.

"The way he finishes, I don't think the mile and an eighth will be any problem," Tarrant said.

Indy Wind has run in four graded stakes in his career - two on the turf - and his best finish was a third in this year's Salvator Mile, when he finished nearly nine lengths behind Gotcha Gold and Lawyer Ron.

But the longer distance of the Iselin will probably help him, because his usual style is to make one big run through the stretch to catch the leaders. That worked to perfection in this year's Frisk Me Now, when Indy Wind blew by Gotcha Gold late at a mile and 70 yards.

In the one-mile Salvator, however, Indy Wind was so far back, there was no catching Gotcha Gold, who got loose on the lead and refused to be passed, even by the 1-10 favorite Lawyer Ron.

Last out, in the Skip Away Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth, jockey Mario Madrid departed from the usual script, and had Indy Wind right up on the pace. It worked nicely because he was the 4-5 favorite and much the best.

But Indy Wind has to prove that he belongs with the big boys, and the Iselin will be the big test.

"I'll make more plans if he does well here," Tarrant said. "But it all depends on him and this race."

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August 15, 2007
SLEETERS ARE ENJOYING TALKIN' ABOUT TALKIN ABOUT LOVE
Monmouth Park.com

The Sleeter Family is still basking in the warm glow generated on Sunday by the 3-year-old Talkin About Love, who became the first New Jersey-bred filly to win the Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks (G3) since the race was renewed when Monmouth Park opened in 1946.

Kevin Sleeter, the breeder, owner and trainer of the chestnut filly by Not For Love - She's Jane, by Northern Idol, was smiling Wednesday morning as he mulled over upcoming races for the stable's new star.

"She came out of the race great," Sleeter said. "I'm looking at the Cotillion (Grade 2  Fitz Dixon Cotillion Handicap at Philly Park on Sept. 22) for her next start. I'd rather stay here, but there are no graded races for 3-year-old fillies.

"It would be nice to get enough points to come back to Monmouth in October," Sleeter said.

Breeders' Cup mania is alive and well all over the Monmouth backstretch, and a graded stakes win is enough to set the dream machine in motion. Every local trainer with a horse who could possibly make the starting gate on Oct. 26 or Oct. 27 has a scenario already worked out to get there.

"To be realistic," Sleeter said, "she'd have to win the Cotillion for us to plan any further. But it's great being able to even start thinking about Breeders' Cup."

Talkin About Love is the first foal from She's Jane, a Sleeter Family-bred who won the filly division New Jersey Futurity in 1999, a year after her full brother Sprintzer took the male division.

Talkin About Love was able to win just once in five starts as a 2-year-old, but this year has been unstoppable. She's taken five straight now - three sprints and two at a mile or more - and handled her graded stakes debut with aplomb.

"She can sprint," Sleeter said, "but I think she's better going long. She's a big filly, and she's just been getting more mature as the season goes on."

Sleeter's mother, Carolyn, is listed as breeder of most of the family's racehorses, and his father, Gerry, is listed as owner of many. But Talkin About Love is all Kevin.

"I bred her, I own her and I train her," he said. "I even got to name her."

The name comes from the lyrics of the Led Zeppelin song "Trampled Underfoot" which extols the virtues of "Talkin' 'bout love, Oh I can't stop talkin' about love."

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August 14, 2007
BRAVO, PLETCHER, KAZAMIAS TOP MONMOUTH PARK STANDINGS
Monmouth Park.com

With three weeks to go in the 2007 Monmouth Park meeting, the race for leading jockey seems a near certainty, while the contest for top trainer and owner are still up for grabs.

With 60 of the 75 racing days in the books, Joe Bravo is in a very familiar spot - atop the rider standings.  From 319 mounts, Bravo has 93 victories as he goes for an unprecedented 13th riding title at the Oceanport racetrack.  Eddie Castro, with 70 wins, is second, 15 victories better than Jose Lezcano.  Rounding out the top five are Chuck C. Lopez with 53 wins, seven more than Rajiv Maragh.

Over in the trainer's race, Todd Pletcher continues to show the way with 29 wins, just four more than Jason Servis.  Servis, the leading trainer at the Meadowlands last season, has won 15 races over the past 30 days, visiting the winner's circle at an impressive 42% clip.

Bruce Levine is third in the trainer's race with 23 wins, one more than Richard Dutrow Jr.  Kelly John Breen, the top conditioner the past two seasons, and Patricia Farro are tied in fifth with 20 victories apiece.

The owner's race has Peter Kazamias atop the standings with 12 victories, three more than Patricia Generazio.  Tied in third are Presidential Thoroughbreds, Leo-Sag Stable and John Petrini, each with eight wins.

The 2007 Monmouth Park meeting concludes on Sunday, Sept. 2, with the Meadowlands opening for live racing on Monday, Sept 3.  Monmouth Park will reopen Oct. 24 - 27 as the racetrack hosts four days of racing, culminating with the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, Powered by Dodge.

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August 12, 2007
NEW JERSEY-BRED TALKIN ABOUT LOVE WINS THE MONMOUTH OAKS
Monmouth Park.com

TRENTON STAKES GOES TO MARINA BALLERINA

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Kevin Sleeter's Talkin About Love moved to the lead at the quarter pole and held all her rivals at bay, winning Sunday's $200,000 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks by a length and 3/4 before a crowd of 10,255.  First contested in 1871, the Monmouth Oaks is the oldest Oaks run in North America.

Sent off the third choice in the field of six 3-year-old fillies, Talkin About Love returned $7.80, $4.60 and $2.60 and topped a $106.40 exacta.  Longshot Scooter Girl closed from last to be second and paid $22.20 and $4.60.  It was another 4 3/4 lengths back to Lady Marlboro, who returned $2.60 to show.  The favorite, Exchanging Fire, who rode a two-race win streak into the Oaks, tired after setting the early fractions to finish fourth.

"She didn't mind getting behind horses at all," said winning jockey Stewart Elliott.  "When I was ready to go, she just took off.  I only rode her in her last race and she really impressed me.  She came out today and ran great.  She's a very talented filly and showed it."

Talkin About Love, by Not For Love from the Northern Idol mare She's Jane, covered the mile and a sixteenth over a fast main track in 1:43 3/5 and earned $120,000 for her efforts.  She has now banked $283,208 for her owner/trainer/breeder Kevin Sleeter, who indicated the Cotillion at Philly Park on Sept. 22 will be the filly's next start.

In the $60,000 Trenton Stakes, Marina Ballerina battled outside Sea the Joy throughout the 5 1/2 furlongs before besting that foe by a neck at the wire, covering the distance over "good" turf in 1:01 4/5.

Trained by Steve Margolis and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Marina Ballerina returned $6.40, $3.20 and $2.60.  Sea the Joy, the post-time favorite in the field of eight 3-year-old fillies, returned $2.80 and $2.60 and completed a $16.20 exacta.  Big Cat Walks Late closed for a $3.40 show mutuel.

The Trenton Stakes win marked the third in nine tries for the daughter of Outflanker from the Tactical Advantage mare Tactical Tracey.  She has now earned $112,892 for owner Robert L. Pastor.

Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, August 15 - first post 12:50 p.m.  As always, the track is open seven days a week for simulcast racing from across the country and around the globe.

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August 11, 2007
SAFE PLAY WINS MY FRENCHMAN STAKES AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Safe Play, the longest shot in the field, outgamed John's Pic through the stretch for a neck victory in the $60,000 My Frenchman Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

The field for the race was reduced to just three starters when it was taken off the turf to be run on the fast main track. Safe Play, trained by Jason Servis and ridden by Chuck C. Lopez, paid $6.80 as the outsider after stopping the timer in 1:03 flat for the five and a half furlongs.

John's Pic, the even-money favorite, completed the $11.20 exacta. River City Rebel, the 6-5 second choice, finished third.

Safe Play, a 5-year-old son of Belong to Me, won his second straight at Monmouth since coming in from Kentucky. The My Frenchman was his first career stakes win, and the $36,000 winner's share brought his lifetime earnings to $217,035. The winner races for the partnership of LaMarca Stable & Stone Ridge Racing.

John's Pic broke on top, but was soon joined by Safe Play. John's Pic held the lead around the turn, but Safe Play asserted himself in the final furlong to take the lead, as John's Pic held stoutly to the end.

"He broke very good and we laid off the speed," Lopez said. "After that that, I let him do what he wanted to do. He battled on well through the stretch, and was able to prevail in a very professional effort."

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August 11, 2007
ISELIN, 2-YEAR-OLD TURF STAKES HIGHLIGHT WEEKEND RACING
Monmouth Park.com

Older horses and juveniles will be in the spotlight next weekend, as Monmouth presents the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) on Saturday, August 18, and two turf tests for 2-year-olds on Saturday and Sunday.

The mile and an eighth Iselin, which will have its 72nd running, will draw some runners hoping to amass enough points in graded races to make it into the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge that will be run here on Oct. 27.

Among the nominees expected to run are Monmouth stakes winners Indy Wind and Gotcha Gold; graded stakes winner Master Command; Delaware stakes winner Barcola, and graded stakes-placed Brother Bobby.

Juveniles will get a chance to show their turf skills in the $60,000 Continental Mile on Saturday and the $60,000 Junior Champion for fillies on Sunday, Aug. 19. Both races are run at one mile on the grass.

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August 9, 2007
CABLE BOY, IMAWILDANDCRAZYGUY HEADED FOR PA. DERBY
Monmouth Park.com

Imawildandcrazyguy and Cable Boy, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively, behind Any Given Saturday, Hard Spun and Curlin in last Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational Presented by Vonage, will use Monmouth Park as a base to prepare for the Pennsylvania Derby. The $1 million, Grade 2 event at nine furlongs will be run on Monday, Sept. 3 at Philly Park.

Bill Kaplan, who trains Imawildandcrazyguy for Lewis Pell and Michael Eigner, is back at his Calder Race Course base, but has assistant Alfredo Guzman staying at Monmouth with the gray gelding.

Imawildandcrazyguy, who also finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby behind Hard Spun and Curlin, with Any Given Saturday eighth, earned $60,000 for his Haskell run.

Kaplan feels it may be time to give him a little bit of a break after four Grade 1 starts this year (Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Haskell).

“Right now I’m leaning towards sending him to the Pennyslvania Derby,” Kaplan said, “although I wouldn’t rule out the Travers if the race were to come up light or Street Sense didn’t run for some reason. We’ll nominate to both. But the Pennsylvania Derby is more likely.”

Cable Boy, who came into the Haskell unbeaten in three starts with a Monmouth track record to his credit, showed his good speed to the stretch, but then tired the last furlong to finish fifth, a total of 12 lengths behind Any Given Saturday.

John Forbes, who shares training of the Jump Start colt with Pat McBurney, said Cable Boy came back after the race with a condition called the “thumps,” an electrolyte imbalance that produces a hiccup-like reaction and interferes with normal breathing.

“When he came back to be unsaddled after the race, I put my hand on his body and I could feel the thumping,” Forbes said. “By Monday morning, he was tearing the barn down, like he never ran.

“Over the years, I’ve had a few horses get the thumps. But it’s frustrating because there’s no treatment for it, and no way to prevent it. They say it shouldn’t happen again, but who knows.”

Forbes said the colt was full of life again the past two mornings, leading him to consider the Pa. Derby as his next start.

“Assuming he’s as good as we thought he was,” Forbes said, “the Pennsylvania Derby is his next start.” 

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August 8, 2007
TALENT SEARCH, 4-5, TAKES TEDDY DRONE STAKES AT MONMOUTH
Monmouth Park.com

SUAVE JAZZ, WHO’S THE COWBOY RALLY LATE TO TAKE 2ND AND 3RD

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Talent Search, the 4-5 favorite, broke like a shot and never looked back, drawing off to win Wednesday’s $100,000 Teddy Drone Stakes by six and a quarter lengths at Monmouth Park.

The winner, trained by Mark Shuman and ridden by Ryan Fogelsonger, stepped the six furlongs over a fast track in 1:08 4/5 and paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.40 across the board.

Suave Jazz and Who’s the Cowboy, who trailed most of the way, rallied to get the second and third spots, one length apart, with Joey P., the 5-2 second choice, tiring to be fourth in the field of five older sprinters.

This was the third win of the year in six starts for Talent Search, a 4-year-old by Catienus who races in the colors of Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey. He was coming off a second behind Diabolical in the Maryland Sprint Handicap on May 19.

“He lost a shoe in his last race,” Shuman said, “and just lost to who I think is the the best sprinter in the country (Diabolical). About 30 days after that race, we discovered that he had a real deep foot bruise and we gave it time to heal. He was only about 80 percent for this race ahd he ran great. The plan, as of now, is to get back here for the Breeders’ Cup (Sprint on Oct. 27)."

Talent Search won the Jim McKay Stakes at Pimlico in April for his first stakes score. This was his biggest payday ever, and the $60,000 winner’s share of the Teddy Drone brought his career earnings to $223,360 on a record of 6-2-1 in 11 starts.

The race was over as soon as it began as Talent Search surged out of the starting gate and took command. Joey P. and Herecomesholl