Lezcano's New Tactics Key for Monongahela in Iselin
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Photo: Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Monongahela wins the Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park
A jockey's instinct proved a winning one June 22 at Monmouth Park, as Jose Lezcano changed up his riding tactics on Monongahela to take the $150,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3).
Aboard two starts back for a runner-up finish in the April 6 Excelsior Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack, Lezcano made an observation that proved key Saturday aboard the Jason Servis trainee.
"The one time I rode him before this, we were further back and I felt like he didn't want to go by horses, even though I thought I had plenty of horse," the jockey said. "Today I tried to put him a lot closer. That way, he can finish and do the job."
Servis thought Lezcano's plan for the 1 1/16-mile test was a good one, and the trainer was rewarded for his faith when the 5-year-old son of K One King drew off to a four-length score.
"Jose told me, 'I want to be forwardly placed. I think he prefers that instead of (the way) he has been running.' He also told me he didn't like horses on the outside of him. I told him, 'Jose, you ride him however you want.' He learned a lot when he rode him two races ago."
While Diamond King took the lead Saturday to set fractions of :22.88, :46.79, and 1:11.05, Lezcano had plenty of horse after tracking second in the early stages.
"He's at his best at a mile, a mile and a sixteenth, so this race set up well for us," he said. "We were going a little fast, but I knew I had plenty of horse."
Bidding two wide on the far turn and taking over at the top of the lane, Monongahela drew off through a 1:35.98 mile en route to victory in a final time of 1:42.45. Bal Harbour closed from fourth to wind up second, and Diamond King held for third. The order of finish was completed by Zanotti, Runnin'toluvya, and Just Call Kenny.
Collecting his first stakes score, Monongahela paid $10.60, $4.40, and $2.40 and improved his record to 6-11-2 from 24 starts for earnings of $381,043. He was bred in Pennsylvania by Gunpowder Farms out of the winning Touch Gold mare Record High, whose last reported foal was a 2017 full sister to Monongahela named Queen High. The mare was bred to Mobil for 2019.
Monongahela raced for his breeder and trainer Kelly Rubley through 20 starts before he was purchased privately by Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, and Gary Aisquith and transferred to Servis.
"He's a big, good-looking horse, and he has always been steady," Servis said. "He was doing super coming into this race, but it was still a nice surprise to have him win."