MONMOUTH: FIRE MISSION BESTS BLUE Y GOLD IN SUNDAY FEATURE

By John Heims —-

Oceanport , N.J. – Al and Michelle Crawford Racing’s Fire Mission moved three-wide around the turn and held off the late charge of Blue Y Gold to capture the $42,000 allowance/optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park on Sunday afternoon by a neck.

With Nik Juarez doing the piloting, Fire Mission went the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09.72 and paid $4.20, $2.80 and $2.20 as the favorite in the field of five colts and geldings. Blue Y Gold completed the $20.20 exacta and paid $4.60 and $3. It was another 4 ¼ lengths back to Glory Stars, who paid $2.60 to show.

“We were a little closer than I thought we would be,” said winning trainer Jorge Navarro. “But Nicky (jockey Juarez) rode him perfectly. When he went left handed the horse really responded and that was it.”

A 7-year-old gelding by Wildcat Heir from the Pioneering mare Perujia, Fire Mission has won 14 of his 57 starts.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Friday, August 18 – gates open 11:30 a.m., first post 12:50 p.m. As always, the racetrack is open seven days a week for simulcasting from across the country and around the globe.