Jersey Rich, the only horse that James Popovich trains, staged a furious rally to overhaul Blank Paige and rolled to a 3¼ length victory in the featured $50,000 allowance for New Jersey-breds on Saturday at Monmouth Park. 

Sent off at 13-1 in the field of nine fillies and mares, Jersey Rich stormed from sixth place at the top of the stretch to catch Blank Paige, who appeared to be on her way to victory after opening a five-length lead on the field in mid-stretch. 

Owned by Anna Popovich, the trainer’s wife, Jersey Rich posted her first victory in three starts this year and her fourth in 25 lifetime starts. She covered the six furlongs in 1:11.85. 

“At the three-eighths pole I was really comfortable with my filly. She was on a roll by then,” said winning rider Wilmer Garcia. “I wanted to wait as long as could before I really asked her to go and it worked out.” 

The exacta with Blank Paige returned $204. It was another neck back in third to Beach Tag. 

“She’s a lot stronger than she was last year,” said Popovich, limited in his training abilities because of a debilitating back issue. “That’s the difference between a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old. We’re hoping for bigger and better things for her this year.” 

Jersey Rich paid $29.40 to win.