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            Oceanport, N.J. – Jockey ‘Jersey Joe’ Bravo and trainer Todd Pletcher enjoyed a banner day at Monmouth Park on Saturday, capturing the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations Stakes with Turbo Compressor less than a half-hour after winning the Grade 2, $200,000 Monmouth Cup with Rule.

            “What a day,” said Bravo, after recording his first win in the United Nations.  “I’m very fortunate to have ridden two great horses this afternoon.  Todd is simply the best.”

            Sent off the 5-2 second choice in the field of seven older horses, Turbo Compressor set the pace in the United Nations and never looked back, stepping the mile and three eighths over firm turf in 2:12.88.  The 4-year-old son of Halo’s Image paid $7, $4.20 and $3.20.  Air Support, who finished nearly two lengths behind the winner, completed the $32.40 exacta and paid $5.40 and $3.20.  It was another two lengths back to Al Khali, who paid $4 to show.  Slim Shadey, the 2.30-1 favorite, never factored throughout, checking in fifth.
            “He really flew home,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher.  “He was able to lay down the fractions and that was just what we were looking for.  He still came home in 22 and change and that’s hard to do at a mile and three eighths.  This horse is versatile; he’s won from one mile to a mile and three eighths, so we have a lot of options for him.”

            Turbo Compressor, fresh off a win in the Colonial Cup three weeks ago, earned his seventh victory in 14 starts in the U.N.  The $300,000 winner’s share of the purse boosted his lifetime bankroll to $920,960 for owners P and G Stable & Off the Hook LLC.

            The U.N., a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ race, provided Turbo Compressor with a free pass to the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 3.

            In the Monmouth Cup, WinStar Farm’s Rule, along with Sloane Ranger, set easy fractions of :25 2/5 for the first quarter of a mile and then :49 3/5 for the half.  Turning for home, Rule opened a daylight lead before stopping the timer in 1:37.71 for the flat mile over a fast main track.

            “He came out of the gate with running on his mind,” said Bravo.  “I don’t care how long the layoff, this horse was ready to go the minute the gates opened.  He was doing it very easy.  Todd had him ready to run and I just steered him around the track.”

            Rule, who broke from the outside post, paid $7.40, $3.20 and $2.80 as the third choice in the field of five colts and geldings.  Flat Out, who paid $2.80 and $2.20, was caught down on the fence for most of the trip, angled out in the stretch and rallied to complete the $16.20 exacta.  It was another neck back to Sloane Ranger, who paid $3.80 to show.

            A 5-year-old horse by Haskell winner Roman Ruler out of the Personal Flag mare Rockside, Rule was making his first start since last October.  From 16 starts, he sports a record of 6-2-5, good for earnings of $1,139,700.

            Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 8 – gates open 11:30 a.m., first post 12:45 p.m.