News & Barn notes

Mile And A Quarter Allowance, Turf Sprints Part Of Variety-Filled Saturday Card At Monmouth

August 09, 2018

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Handicappers and racing fans will both appreciate the variety of Monmouth Park’s 12-race Saturday card. Grass, dirt, sprints and routes – even a rare 1¼-mile race on the main track – highlight a program that runs the gamut from a racing standpoint. 

A starter allowance that goes as the 7th race is the 1¼-mile offering, with the starting gate located in the chute at the top of the stretch adjacent to the picnic area. 

“It’s a very interesting card that offers something for everyone,” said Director of Racing and Racing Secretary John Heims. “It’s possible the last mile and a quarter race run here was the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2007 won by Curlin, so it’s a nice variation from the norm. 

“More than that, we have a few solid maiden special weight turf races, including 2-year-old fillies going long on turf, a sprint stakes that’s part of the MATCH Series and named for one of the top turf sprinting females ever to compete here (Incredible Revenge) and a pair of solid allowance events.  

“It’s a very diverse card that should prove to be a popular handicapping challenge and provide great excitement for our fans.” 

Excess Capacity, a $300,000 yearling purchase trained by Chad Brown, will make her debut in a field of 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the dirt to kick off the card. 

A one-mile race maiden special weight race on the grass for 2-year-olds that has drawn a field of 11 follows that. The 4th race for maiden claimers at a mile on the grass has a full field of 12, and the 6h race, an allowance optional claimer at 5½ furlongs on the grass, has 11 listed to go. 

There’s also a 5½-furlong grass maiden special weight dash that goes as the 8th race, a one-mile dirt race in the 9th race, a six-furlong allowance in the 11th race and a one-mile maiden special weight grass race for 2-year-olds as the 12th race. 

The 8th race has 14 horses entered counting the two main track only entrants. 

The $75,000 Incredible Revenge Stakes, part of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships (MATCH), headlines the card. A field of eight will go in the 5½-furlong grass race for fillies and mares, 3-years-old-and-up. 

First race post on Saturday is 12:50 p.m.