EL DEAL ROLLS TO VICTORY IN DECATHLON STAKES 

‘JERSEY JOE’ BRAVO SCORES ON NAMESAKE JERSEY JOE B 

            Oceanport, N.J. – Michelle and Albert Crawford’s El Deal jumped to the early lead and never looked back, cruising to victory in the $60,000 Decathlon Stakes on Sunday before a crowd of 11,259. 

            Trained by Jorge Navarro, El Deal went the opening quarter in :21.26 and the half-mile in :43.12 before coming home in 1:08.59 for the six furlongs.  The winner paid $3.40, $2.80 and $2.20 as the 3-5 choice in the field of five colts and geldings.  Ostrolenkla, who rode the rail to complete the $25 exacta, was three lengths behind the winner.  The runner-up paid $9 and $4.  Still Krz, who tried to challenge the winner early, was a length and a half farther back in third, and paid $3.20 to show. 

            “I never really asked him for much,” said winning jockey Jose Ferrer.  “He popped out of the gate and that was pretty much it.  I knew he was going fast, but not that fast.  He’s a really, really nice horse.” 

            A 5-year-old son of Munnings from the Out of Place mare Spirit of Wailea, El Deal has now won eight of 15 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $295,025. 

            Earlier on the card, jockey “Jersey Joe” Bravo piloted his namesake to victory when Jersey Joe B went gate to wire to capture the ninth race, a maiden claiming event. 

            Making his third career start, Jersey Joe B charged to the front early before opening up with ease in the stretch to post a nearly nine-length victory.  The 3-year-old colt by Congaree from the Wiseman’s Ferry mare Jersey Queen returned $3.40 in the field of seven New Jersey-bred colts and geldings.  The Red Oak Stable color bearer went the 5 ½ furlongs over the main track in 1:04.76. 

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, June 16 – gates open 11:30 a.m., first post 12:50 p.m.As always, the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcasting from across the country and around the globe.