Rainbow Heir Impressive in Monmouth Victory
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New Farm's Rainbow Heir, who is being pointed to the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), blew away the opposition in the $57,000 New Jersey Breeders Handicap Sept. 6 at Monmouth Park.
With Angel Serpa riding for trainer Ben Perkins Jr., Rainbow Heir rated in third early in the six-furlong stakes, ran past the dueling Partyallnightlong and Magical Fire, and pulled away to win by 12 1/2 lengths in 1:09.83 on a sloppy track. He paid $3.40 to win.
Bred by his owner in New Jersey, Rainbow Heir, a 4-year-old colt by Wildcat Heir , now has seven wins in 11 starts in his career. Perkins told Monmouth officials he wanted a race for Rainbow Heir with the thought of racing him next in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (gr. III) on dirt at Keeneland Oct. 3.
"He ran good; we were certainly happy," Perkins said. "You're always concerned when you run, but we wanted a race between his last and (the Phoenix Stakes). We don't want to plan too far ahead, but hopefully that will get us to the Breeders' Cup."
The New Jersey Breeders Handicap was one of four state-bred stakes on the Monmouth program as part of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival. Perkins also won the $57,600 Jersey Girl Handicap with Jersey Shore Racing Stable's Maybe Tonight, a 4-year-old Defere filly.
The other stakes winners were Prima Ventures' Disco Rhythm, a 6-year-old Flatter gelding who took the $58,800 Charles Hesse III Handicap, and Daniel Lopez' Geeky Gorgeous, a 5-year-old Devil His Due mare who captured the $55,800 Eleven North Handicap.