Oceanport, NJ- ABL Stable, Bassone, Cahill & Donnelly’s Just Call Kenny sat comfortably along the backstretch before making his move on the far turn, taking the lead at the top of the stretch and pulling away to a four-length score in the Grade 3 $100,000 Phillip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

          Trained by Pat McBurney, Just Call Kenny stopped the timer at 1:47.73 over a fast main track and paid $10.80 and $3.20 in the field that scratched to four with the defection of Discreet Lover.  Eagle closed resolutely to complete the $22.20 exacta as the 3/2 favorite. It was nearly another length to Mr. Jordan who checked in third with pacesetter Conquest Big E rounding out the quartet.

          “I knew there was plenty of speed in the race so we just sat back and waited in third,” said winning rider Eddie Castro. “I asked him at the 3/8ths pole and he really responded.  The only one behind me was Eagle so I had to watch for him, but I got first run and my horse kept running hard all the way through the stretch.”

          The 6-year-old horse by Jump Start out of the Green Dancer mare Green Jeans improved his record to 5-5-7 in 29 career starts, boosting his earnings to $433,565. It was his first career graded stakes victory.  

          Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Aug. 27, with a cooler bag giveaway complimenting the 15th annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival.  Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post at 12:50 p.m. for the 12-race program.