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MONMOUTH NOTEBOOK JUNE 11, 2010 by Thomas Cassidy The weather was hot at the Jersey Shore this past weekend and the only thing hotter was the racing action. There were 36 races contested over the three-day racing week at Monmouth Park, and one was a world-record setting performance over the turf course by MANDURAH (A.P. Indy). Trained by Grant Forster, Mandurah was trying the grass for the first time in the first round of the four-part Malouf Auto Group Starter Series. Out of the Machiavellian mare Morning Pride (Ire), the gelding was sent to the early lead by Alex Solis and took the field wire-to-wire, finishing in a world-record time of 1:31.23 for a mile over a course that was listed as firm. Friday's 11-race card produced three winning favorites on a day dominated by speed/stalking-type runners. Each of the races was won by a different trainer, but as far as the jockeys went, it was Jeremy Rose who was the top performer with three winners that paid $54.60, $17.20 and $18.80, respectively. On Saturday, there were 13 races and it was again the speed/stalking-type runners that dominated the card. The betting public had a good day correctly favoring six winners. "Jersey Joe" Bravo had another terrific afternoon, notching four winners on a day where all races were won by different trainers. Patrick Biancone won the first "baby race" of the meet with a first-time starter named SHOW ME THE BLING (Too Much Bling). Keep an eye on his firsters as they have been firing at the meet. Sunday was the day of the world record and all three turf races that afternoon were won by front-runners. On the dirt, speed was better Sunday than Friday and Saturday, but stalkers still won their fair share on the day. Each of the 12 races was won by a different outfit and Paco Lopez was the rider who had the most wins on the day with three. Keep an eye on Lopez as he is getting live mounts. HORSES TO WATCH Well folks, our horses to watch list is 1-for-1: HUNG JURY (Closing Argument), $3 Saturday (6/5) 11TH -- TRUE TO TRADITION (Rahy) was second-best in his 2010 debut to convincing winner Silver Timber (Prime Timber) in the Wolf Hill S. 12TH -- SOUTHERN RIDGE (Southern Image) broke his maiden impressively in his second career start. Drew off to win by more than seven lengths after stalking the early pace and has the look of a serious runner. Sunday (6/6) 6TH -- NACHO SAINT (Yes It's True) ran well in his career debut to finish second behind Chipshot (Peace Rules, a Steve Asmussen runner making his third start. Trainer Kelly John Breen is terrific with two-year-olds and Nacho Saint could be a big playback second-time out.
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