Winning Cause Closes to Win Red Bank
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Winning Cause made amends for a runner-up finish in last year's Red Bank Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Monmouth Park when getting up late to edge Heart to Heart and win in this year's edition May 16 .
Denied by three-quarters of a length by Hard Enough last year, Winning Cause took the Cliff Hanger (gr. III) four starts later on the Monmouth turf and showed his affinity for the same course Saturday. The son of Giant's Causeway , relaxed behind quick early fractions before overtaking front-runner and favorite Heart to Heart in deep stretch for a half-length victory at 6-1 odds.
Well back under Abel Castellano Jr. in the field of seven through the opening half, Winning Cause raced off the pace along the inside and before getting between horses into the lane. Still looking for running room, Castellano found clear sailing when angling out his mount in the closing stages and Winning Cause kicked away strongly to secure the win.
"I expected the speed early on and we sat very easy on the backstretch," Castellano said. "He seemed to find an extra gear coming down the stretch and once he hit the hole, I knew it was going to be really close."
Tracking early pacesetter Mellow Fellow from second, about four lengths back, through a quick :44.91 half mile, Heart to Heart got the advantage when that rival gave way soon thereafter. He led by a head as six furlongs went in a snappy 1:08.42, but last year's Canadian champion 3-year-old male had to call on all his reserves when Winning Cause ranged up before settling for second.
Winning Cause was timed in 1:32.27 for one mile on firm turf.
Winning Cause, under 117 pounds, paid $14, $5.40, and $3.40, and Heart to Heart (116) returned $3.60 and $2.60, while Aztec Brave, the 120-pound topweight, paid $3.40 to show.
"He had a great trip," said Anthony Sciametta Jr., assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher. "He needs a solid pace to run at and he sure got it today. He got a great ride and the jockey moved just at the right time. This horse sure loves Monmouth."
Winning Cause has a 6-7-3 record from 26 career starts for Alto Racing. The 5-year-old was bred in Kentucky by Galleria Bloodstock. His dam is the winning Kingmambo mare Raffishing Look.
Completing the order of finish were Rose Brier in fourth, Guys Reward, Slim Shadey, and Mellow Fellow. Adirondack King, Edge of Reality, and Red Vine were main track only entrants.