Al and Michelle Crawford Racing’s Fire Mission moved three-wide around the turn and held off the late charge of Blue Y Gold to capture the $42,000 allowance/optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park on Sunday afternoon by a neck. 

          With Nik Juarez doing the piloting, Fire Mission went the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09.72 and paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.20 as the favorite in the field of five colts and geldings.  Blue Y Gold completed the $20.20 exacta and paid $4.60 and $3.  It was another 4 ¼ lengths back to Glory Stars, who paid $2.60 to show. 

          “We were a little closer than I thought we would be,” said winning trainer Jorge Navarro.  “But Nicky (jockey Juarez) rode him perfectly.  When he went left handed the horse really responded and that was it.” 

          A 7-year-old gelding by Wildcat Heir from the Pioneering mare Perujia, Fire Mission has won 14 of his 57 starts. 

          Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, August 18 – 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.