Global Campaign Battles Back to Win Monmouth Cup
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Photo: Ryan Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Global Campaign proves game to take the Monmouth Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park
WinStar Farm and Sagamore Farm's Global Campaign took command at the start of the $315,000 Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) and battled back after briefly relinquishing his lead to win the 1 1/8-mile event July 18 at Monmouth Park.
Bal Harbour snatched the lead from Global Campaign during the stretch and Math Wizard gained ground with a late rally, but Global Campaign showed his mettle with a 1 1/2-length win.
"I didn't like seeing all the pressure on him all race. But I can't say I'm surprised he withstood it," trainer Stanley Hough said. "I had my doubts when he got headed in the stretch by Bal Harbour. But Jorge Vargas (Jr.) rode him good, and the horse responded great. He's a very, very talented horse, so it's good to see him come back like this. Hopefully he continues to show himself."
Vargas was aboard Global Campaign for the first time Saturday, and the 4-year-old Curlin colt was off as the 5-2 favorite as he broke from the rail in the field of nine.
"I was pretty excited when I found out I was going to ride him," Vargas said. "I went back and watched all of his races. I knew how talented he is."
Global Campaign set fractions of :23.77, :47.91, and 1:11.69 through six furlongs, with pressure coming from Joevia in second and Bal Harbour in third. Down the stretch, Bal Harbour moved up to take the lead by half a length but weakened as Global Campaign fought back.
Global Campaign stopped the clock in 1:50.47 on a fast track.
"If you saw him this race, even with those horses putting pressure on him all race, he kept his ears pricked and he was relaxed and off the bit," Vargas said. "When I asked him a little bit, he jumped on the bit and he had something left. He was very strong. I just moved to Monmouth Park for the summer for the first time this year, and this is my first win of the meet, so it's pretty special."
Math Wizard, who was last a half-mile in, rallied to finish second, a length in front of Bal Harbour. Monongahela, Harpers First Ride, Joevia, Core Beliefs, Senior Investment, and Just Whistle completed the order of finish.
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar, Global Campaign is the third foal out of the A.P. Indy mare Globe Trot. He is a half brother to multiple grade 1-winning Spendthrift Farm stallion Bolt d'Oro and multiple stakes winner Sonic Mule. Sagamore purchased the bay for $250,000 from the Select Sales consignment to the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Global Campaign had a few foot issues throughout his 3-year-old season but did win the Peter Pan Stakes (G3). He has a 5-0-1 record from eight starts and earnings of $506,080.
"I'm very pleased with this effort," Hough said. "He was kind of rambunctious as a 3-year-old last year, and he'd look around and get distracted, so I kept the blinkers on him. But I never felt he really needed them. I just thought it would let him see around a little by taking them off for this race. I've been working him without them, so he was used to it again.
"He's shown from the start that he's a good horse. He's well bred and, gosh, he has so much talent. He has kind of been his own worst enemy. But he is finally maturing, and maybe we can build from here."