Monmouth Park Notebook

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.