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MONMOUTH NOTEBOOK JULY 17, 2010 by Tom Cassidy Thirty-six races were held from Friday through Sunday at Monmouth Park, including the Long Branch S., the local prep for the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1). Odds-on favorite TRAPPE SHOT (Tapit) caught the eye of the crowd as he captured his two-turn debut with ease under a confident and schooling ride from Alan Garcia. This horse could prove to be the "wise-guy" play come Haskell Sunday. Friday's card marked the first of three consecutive Friday twilight cards. There were three winning favorites on the card, including one that came during the Pick Five sequence that returned $2,232.90. Trainers Jane Cibelli, Stephen DiMauro, and Scott Volk each had training doubles and Elvis Trujillo notched four wins to earn top jock of the day. On the main track, winners came from both on and off the pace, and on the inner and outer paths. In each of the three turf races going long, the winner came from off the pace, and a close stalker won the only turf sprint of the afternoon. The public sharpened their skills Saturday afternoon, correctly favoring seven winners on the 12-race card. Both Steve Asmussen and Kiaran McLaughlin had a training double, and Paco Lopez took a trio of races. Winners on the main track came from both on and off the pace. Out of the three turf contests, a stalker won one while closers won the remaining two. Jersey Joe Bravo earned the award for top jock on Sunday with three wins and each one for a different barn. Runners came from both on and off the pace that afternoon, but the rail appeared to be disadvantageous. There were three races on the lawn with two going long and one short. The turf sprint was the John McSorley S., which the Frank Costa-trained GENERAL PERFECT (Perfect) won in wire-to-wire fashion over the accomplished SILVER TIMBER (Prime Timber). A stalker and a closer split the two races going long on the green. HORSES TO WATCH Friday (7/9) 9TH -- MARQUET CAT (Cat Thief) consistently runs well and was claimed back by trainer Tony Wilson. Saturday (7/10) 6TH -- HOPE AFFIRMED (Strong Hope) finished a good second behind a runaway winner.
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