News & Barn notes

Deer Valley Holds Off Late Challenge To Take Crank It Up Stakes

June 10, 2017

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Oceanport NJ- Glen Hill Farm’s Deer Valley sat off the quick early pace of Big City Dreamin before taking the lead midway down the stretch and holding off a late bid from Hidden Mystery to take Saturday’s $60,000 Crank It Up Stakes at Monmouth Park by a half-length. 

            Trained by Thomas Proctor, Deer Valley covered the five furlongs over the firm turf course in :56.02 and paid $8.40, $4 and $2.60. Hidden Mystery completed the $56.40 exacta and paid $5.80 and $3.20. It was another length back to odds-on favorite Big City Dreamin who held for show and paid $2.20. 

            “I trust Tom (trainer Proctor) and he told me how good she was doing,” said winning jockey Antonio Gallardo. “The whole thing was easy. The other horse (Big City Dreamin) set the pace and I sat off her. Around the turn, my filly picked it up and she kicked it in for the final eighth. She’s a very talented filly.” 

            With the win, the 3-year-old by Speightstown out of the Sir Cat mare Cat’s Fair posts a record of 3-1-0 in seven starts, good for earnings of $148,345. 

Racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday with a 12-race card. Gates will open early at 10 a.m. for the 47th annual Irish Festival. First post is set for 12:50 p.m.