FIRE MISSION PULLS AWAY EASILY IN SATURDAY’S FEATURE; NAVARRO BREAKS RECORD FOR WINS IN SINGLE MEET

By John Heims —-

FIRE MISSION PULLS AWAY EASILY IN SATURDAY’S FEATURE;
NAVARRO BREAKS RECORD FOR WINS IN SINGLE MEET

Oceanport, NJ – Al and Michelle Crawford Racing’s Fire Mission sat perfectly off the early speed duel before swinging to the outside at the top of the stretch and powering home a 3 ¾ length winner in Saturday’s $42,000 allowance optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park before a crowd of 11,515.

Trained by Jorge Navarro, Fire Mission stopped the timer at 1:09.11 for the six furlongs and paid $4.80 and $2.80 as the 7-5 post-time favorite in the field of five geldings. He’s Got Talent completed the $14.20 all-Navarro exacta and paid $3.40. It was another seven and a half lengths to Uplifting, who checked in third.

“We wanted to get him covered up after he broke well,” said winning rider Nik Juarez. “We just wanted him to settle behind the pace and look to make one good run at the head of the lane. He’s a really good horse that seems to keep on improving.”

The 7-year-old son of Wildcat Heir out of the Pioneering mare Peruija made it three wins in a row, all at Monmouth Park, and boosted his career record to 15-6-11 in 58 starts.

Earlier in the card, Navarro, leading trainer at Monmouth the past four seasons, broke the record he set last year for most wins in a single meet when Don’t Tell Vanessa gave the conditioner his 60th winner this meet by taking the third race.

Live racing concludes at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Sept. 10 which is headlined by a mandatory payout in the Jersey Shore Six, which boasts a carryover of $15,073 – gates open 11:30 a.m., first post 12:50 p.m.

Monmouth Park Barn Notes for Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017

SHES DYNOMITE LOOKS TO GO WIRE-TO-WIRE IN SUNDAY’S FEATURE

Shes Dynomite will try to use her speed to take the field all the way in Sunday’s Closing Day $40,000 allowance feature going a mile and a sixteenth on the Monmouth Park turf.

The 4-year-old filly by J P’s Gusto out of the Montbrook mare My Secret Brook exits back-to-back fourth place finishes against allowance foes at Monmouth where she led the entire way before being caught in the stretch by late closers.

“She’s a horse that really seems to need the lead,” said trainer Jorge Navarro. “She has the speed to get out there and I don’t think the outside post will be a problem. She’s been training really well coming into the race.”

Owned by Robert P. Donaldson, Shes Dynomite got to the winner’s circle three starts back when she took a $20,000 claiming event in her usual front-running fashion, pulling away late to a two-length victory in her first start over the Monmouth course.

To get the win on Sunday, Shes Dynomite will have to hold off three last-out winners including morning-line favorite Lover’s Key, for Reid Nagle, who looks to be the other speed in the race, after she took the New York Stallion Series Statue of Liberty Stakes last time out.

Sunday’s feature will go as race 9 on the 11-race Closing Day card. It will also be a part of Fan Appreciation Day, which includes free Grandstand parking and admission and half-priced Clubhouse admission. Gates open at 11:30 with first post at 12:50 p.m.

FOOTBALL ACTION ALL SEASON LONG IN WILLIAM HILL RACE & SPORTS BAR

Monmouth Park is the place to be this football season, with the newly expanded William Hill Race & Sports Bar, which has a “grand re-opening” this weekend.

With wall-to-wall TV’s, expanded menu and drink specials coupled with college and pro football action as well as simulcast wagering, the William Hill Race & Sports Bar will be open Thursdays through Mondays all fall and winter.

“It’s another continuation of the expanded food and beverage division at Monmouth Park,” said Tom Barone, vice president of F & B at the racetrack. “All the ingredients were there for a great sports and dining destination. I know it will prove popular for newcomers and continue to delight our existing fans.”

On Sunday, a pig roast buffet will be offered for just $10 which includes the roast, nachos, taco cart, and wings. Drink specials will be served as well, including $4 for all bottled beer, $5 Tito’s “Make Your Own Bloody Mary”, and $10, 64-ounce Bud Light Draft Towers. Sunday gates open at 11:30 a.m., with William Hill Race & Sports Bar open through the end of the Giants/Cowboys 8:30 p.m. game.

Beginning on Thursday, Sept. 14, William Hill Race & Sports Bar will open from 4 p.m. until approximately 11:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays and have a schedule of 11:30 a.m. until approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Sunday, a full card of 11 races will headline the day’s live Thoroughbred action. It will also mark Closing Day of the 2017 live racing season, with free Grandstand parking and admission and half-priced Clubhouse admission for Fan Appreciation Day. First race each day is scheduled for 12:50 p.m.