St. Elias Stable’s Teresa Z stormed down the stretch to best longshot Sine Wave by a length and a half in the Grade 3, $100,000 Monmouth Oaks at Monmouth Park on Saturday afternoon. 

          After settling in off the early speed, Teresa Z angled out for the drive and charged home with a full head of steam to pay $13.20, $6.40 and $4.20.  Sine Wave, who closed up the rail, completed the $213.80 exacta and paid $19.60 and $9.  It was nearly another length back to Overture, who returned $4 to show.  My Miss Tapit, the 5-2 favorite in the field of nine 3-year-old fillies, checked in fifth. 

          “That worked out perfectly,” said winning trainer Anthony Margotta Jr.  “She showed speed early on in her career and we’ve been teaching to wait and come with a big run.  Nik (jockey Juarez) couldn’t have rode a better race.  I’m very blessed to have St. Elias Stable in my life and this wonderful horse.” 

          Juarez echoed the trainer’s sentiments, “We knew there would be a lot of pace in the race and the key with this filly is to get her covered up and relaxed to let her make her one run,” he said.  “Everything set up beautifully today and the plan worked out perfectly.” 

          A daughter of Smart Strike from the A.P. Indy mare With Flying Colors, Teresa Z sports three wins in 10 outings, good for earnings of $124,120. 

          The Monmouth Oaks, dating back to 1871, is the oldest Oaks run in North America. 

          Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Aug. 13 – gates open 11:30 a.m., first post 12:50 p.m.