Oceanport, N.J. – Dennis A. Drazin’s Blue Bahia found an opening late in the lane before opening up to an impressive 2-length score in the $60,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park before a Sunday throng of 21,119. 

           Sent off the 2-1 favorite in the field of 11 fillies and mares, Blue Bahia returned $6.20, $4.20 and $3.40 and topped the $59 exacta.  Spectacular Me rallied for the place and returned $8.80 and $5.40.  It was another half-length back to Daylight Ahead, who paid $9 to show.  The running time for five furlongs over firm turf was :56.71. 

             “She broke well, but I just let her settle back,” said winning jockey Paco Lopez.  “I didn’t want to go head-to-head early.  I was a little worried at the eighth pole that a hole wasn’t going to open up, but once it did she shot through there and really accelerated.” 

            A 4-year-old daughter of Wildcat Heir from the Lion Hearted mare Chocolate Brown, Blue Bahia has now won six of her 12 outings.  The Jason Servis-trainee was bred in Florida by her owner. 

            Just one race before the stakes, fan favorite Bustin Out scored for the second time this season when the New Jersey-bred daughter of Bustin Stones hopped out in front and held off the late charge of Court Dancer to capture a $42,000 allowance optional claiming event.  With Jose Ferrer back aboard, Bustin Out paid $4.60 in capturing her eighth lifetime victory, all at Monmouth Park. 

            Earlier on the card, and with a carryover into the Pick 5 on races one through five, a winning combination for 50 cents returned $24,425.50.  The Pick 5 is offered on the first and last five races daily. 

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Monday, May 29 for a special nine-race Memorial Day program featuring the third and final day of the 2017 Food Truck Festival.Gates open 11:30 a.m. with first post slated for 12:50 p.m.For more information visit www.monmouthpark.com.