Just Howard Holds Off Divisidero to Take Oceanport
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Photo: Ryan Denver /EQUI-PHOTO
Just Howard (inside) keeps Divisidero at bay to win the Oceanport Stakes at Monmouth Park
In the 72nd running of the $142,500 Oceanport Stakes (G3T), Skeedattle Stable's Just Howard made his first trip over the Monmouth Park turf course a winning one July 20 as he dug down courageously through the lane to just get his head in front of Divisidero.
The 5-year-old son of English Channel completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.62 on firm footing.
"My horse showed nice determination in the stretch. He's a cool horse and he deserved a win," said trainer Graham Motion. "He's been sitting on a win for a long time. It was a nerve-wracking day, but we got through it."
The Oceanport was the first stakes run on Haskell Day and was pushed back to 6 p.m. ET from 1:51 p.m. due to excessive heat. After the first two races on the card were run, the rest of the non-stakes races were canceled.
Just Howard, who was third in the Dixie Stakes (G2T) at Pimlico Race Course two starts back, notched his first score since an allowance optional claiming win at Laurel Park almost one year ago. But the connections had to survive an objection by Divisidero's rider, Jevian Toledo, who claimed interference.
"The plan was to stalk today, and once (Bird's Eye View and Dover Cliffs) went on, I was able to find a good spot and save ground," said winning jockey Trevor McCarthy. "And when I heard Divisidero start to make his move, I came out and we were just able to outkick him. He's been keeping good company and going against tough horses, especially in the Dixie. So we're really happy to get this win."
Just Howard returned $5.40 for a $2 bet. Bird's Eye View was third in the four-horse field, 1 1/2 lengths back.
Just Howard was bred in Maryland by Howard Bender out of the Alphabet Soup mare Aruban Sandwich and is a half brother to 2018 Riskaverse Stakes winner Monte Crista. Aruban Sandwich's last reported foal is a 2-year-old Flashy Bull colt.
Skeedattle Associates, with F.G. Smith as agent, bought Just Howard for $37,000 from Eaton Sales' consignment to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He has a 6-2-4 record from 20 starts and $465,405 in earnings.
I'm So Fancy wires the WinStar Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park
I'm So Fancy Determined in WinStar Matchmaker Victory
In the $135,000 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes (G3T), it was the Irish-bred I'm So Fancy who made every pole a winning one as she proved best of the three fillies and mares completing the turf test at 1 1/8 miles.
Owned by Lael Stables and trained by Arnaud Delacour, the 5-year-old Rajj mare shook free entering the far turn and held on late to stave off a fast-closing and favored Competitionofideas and win by a neck. Touriga was third.
The final time was 1:51.11.
I'm So Fancy, making only her third start in America, paid $5.80 and won her second straight stakes after capturing the Big Dreyfus Stakes June 16 at Laurel Park.
"Nobody really knew what to expect. It was a three-horse field. On paper, it looked like they were all horses that liked to stalk or come from behind," Delacour said. "She broke very well, so Trevor McCarthy decided to make the lead and slow down the pace. That was the best way to go and why he won the race. She is a nice filly. She deserved to win a graded stakes in America. There's a lot to look forward to with her."
"She was really sharp today. I knew she was probably going to be lone speed," McCarthy added. "So when she broke out of there sharply, I let her fall in. She broke two lengths in front. I let her settle. Those fractions were really the reason she won. She had plenty left to hold off the other two because of that."
In addition to the trophy, the winning owner gets to choose a future date for I'm So Fancy with one of three designated WinStar stallions: Yoshida, Audible, or Paynter . The runner-up has second choice, and the third-place finisher gets the remaining stallion.
I'm So Fancy was bred by Lisheen Stud out of the King's Best mare Royal Jelly. Baroda Stud and Colbinstown Stud consigned her to the 2018 Tattersalls December Mares Sale, where Avenue Bloodstock purchased her for $667,958 for Lael.
Already a group 3 winner in Ireland, I'm So Fancy has a 6-3-3 record from 23 starts and $380,364 in earnings.
Video: Oceanport S. (G3T)