Two races after Chad Brown gets a lot of support Smooth socks was defeated in Eatontown Stakes (G3T), by the trainer Spiritual life ran true to his even money odds with an authoritative score in $162,000 Monmouth Stakes (G3T) on June 18.
On a cool afternoon at the Jersey Shore, Sacred Life raced like the good traveling pro he is, settling comfortably in midpack early on under pilot Manny Franco. . Up front, Monmouth Park– racer based on Jose Ferrer and long shot 58-1 Epic Bromance put on a moderate and controlled pace on a field that had been favorable all day for the leaders. With last year’s Queen’s Plate hero Behave Safely Sitting right on the flank, Epic Bromance showed the way through crosses: 24.05, :48.22, and 1.12.69, taking advantage of him as he led the field for long periods of time.
“I was where I wanted to be and (Sacred Life) did the rest,” said Franco. “I didn’t want to give him too much work. But when I asked him, the horse replied. He could go much longer if they wanted him to. He just hovered.”
Sacred Life, who advanced quickly with a three-round wide move around the bend, resiliently closed in the middle of the track, edging past Safe Behavior and a brave Epic Bromance in the final sixteenth bout. Sacred Life finished 1 1/4 of the length ahead of Safe Behavior in a sure time of 1:47.70 for 1 1/8 mile on solid grass.
Epic Bromance set the tempo to come in at third, half the length of Safe Behavior.
Despite Sacred Life’s favor ($4.20), the trio paid $189.05 with Epic Bromance’s surprise performance.
While Sacred Life falls short of the top-level turf stars in the powerful Brown stables, bay horse racing has nonetheless proven a consistent performer of the stakes for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael Caruso since arriving in the state next to his native France. in 2019. Now 7 years old, son of Siyouni took this third-ranked win and boosted his earnings above the $823,000 mark following a game against Monmouth Stakes.
“This horse can race almost anywhere and it proves it,” said Brown assistant Luis Contreras. “We know he loves the track (winning the Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park in 2020). He’s in the perfect position.”
Sacred Life was bred by Mr. Viktor Timoshenko and Mr. Andriy Milovanov in France and is the third winner created from Montjeu mare Knyazhna . Knazhna’s youngest child is an underrated 2-year-old son of King called Feed the Flame.
Video: Monmouth S. (G3T)
Stolen Holiday steals Eatontown in Front End
In a field filled with classified winning fillings, it was Annette Allen’s Stolen vacation that pulled away from her career heist when she swiped an earlier $152,500 Eatontown Stakes (G3T) on a striker-style card at the hands of jockey Jose Lezcano.
Stolen Holiday acquires Eatontown shares in Monmouth Park
As a sibling of three Group 1 winners, Stolen Holiday was slow to mature for coach Shug McGaughey. After breaking her girlhood last October at the age of 4, the daughter of War front catch a Tampa Bay Downs optional grants race claims in February before finishing second in her equity debut at Sand Springs Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Gulfstream Park. Back at McGaughey’s Belmont home, Stolen Holiday struggled with a soft go in the Beaugay Stakes (G3T), which finished far behind the winner. Rougir .
McGaughey said: “The last race in Beaugay was really smooth and that’s not what she wanted. “I wouldn’t be able to run her today if it wasn’t for good grass, sure. She has speed and a speedy horse (Por Que No ) was scratched and Jose Lezcano was smart enough when she broke through well to give her the lead and let her set the fractions. “
Freestyle racing ahead, Stolen Holiday lulled in the first quarter: 25.51 and: 50.61 half-mile, causing Princess Grace , who debuted her first season in Eatontown, to give driver Mike Smith a pretty uphill fight behind the slow fractions in fourth. Stable friends trained by brown skin Smooth socks and Lemista Running in last and second to last, respectively, through first, launched sweeping protests around the turn after Lezcano tended Stolen Holiday through six coats in 1:14.22.
“This (Eatontown win) was not unexpected – but I really didn’t know what to expect,” said McGaughey. “When they put out that: 25.51 innings and: 50.61 innings, I think they’re going to have a hard time beating her.”
With so much left in the tank, Stolen Holiday threw down a clear final quarter, unfolded two lengths at the eighth pole, and climbed under the rope a clear length of housemate and host. own Eatontown Vigilante’s Way.
Stolen Holiday ($18.40) stopped the timer at 1:42.30 for a 1/16-mile run on firm grass. Lemista overcame the Fluffy Socks by one neck to finish third. Second choice, Princess Grace was eliminated for a long time to finish last out of seven.
Bred by Orpendale of Kentucky, the Stolen Holiday was a $750,000 acquisition for Northshore Bloodstock at the September 2018 Keeneland Sale from Denali Stud consignment. She’s outside of the Sadler’s Wells mares that won 2 Silk and Scarlet dam of group 1 winners Master of the Hound , Eishin Apollon and Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T) staff Minorette . The dam has a longing longing by Evenly and was last reported in ponies returning to that stall this year.
Video: Eatontown S. (G3T)
