Monmouth Park Barn Notes for Thursday, June 8, 2017

By John Heims —-

O’CONNELL BRINGS TRIO INTO SATURDAY’S CRANK IT UP

Trainer Kathleen O’Connell will send three to the starting gate for Saturday’s $60,000 Crank It Up Stakes, going five furlongs on the Monmouth Park turf: Lu Lu Laura, Stormy Embrace and Who’s the Lady.

Darsan Inc.’s Who’s the Lady exits her first try against graded stakes company in the Grade 3 Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico where she finished 11th on May 19.

“She had a tough post, being in the 13 spot,” said O’Connell in regards to the Miss Preakness. “She’s been training awesome and I think this is a good spot for her.”

Prior to that outing, the 3-year-old filly by Munnings started off her career a perfect 4-for-4, all in gate-to-wire fashion, including a win in the Any Limit Stakes on the Gulfstream Park main track.
Who’s the Lady worked a bullet at Monmouth on June 1, going five furlongs in 1:00, the fastest of the 22 horses that went the distance on the day.

O’Connell’s other entrant exiting the Miss Preakness is Stormy Embrace, who finished ninth.

“Stormy (Embrace) missed the break in the Miss Preakness and could never recover,” said O’Connell. “She has some turf in her pedigree and I think she will like the grass. She’s another one who’s been training great.”

The 3-year-old filly by Circular Quay out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Stormy Allure found the winner’s circle two races back. She took down four others in a $50,000 allowance optional claiming event, going gate-to-wire on the Gulfstream Park main track on April 27.

Owned by Matalona Thoroughbreds LLC, Stormy Embrace broke her maiden at first asking by 9 ½ lengths going five furlongs on Gulfstream’s main track last July.

The final O’Connell entry in the Crank It Up is Lu Lu Laura, who will break from the rail Saturday.

“We couldn’t be happier with how she’s doing,” said O’Connell, who conditions the horse for Stonehedge LLC. “I think she’ll like the turf because of her pedigree.”

The daughter of Circular Quay out of the Untuttable mare Arealhotlover is making her first appearance in 2017 after finishing her 2-year-old campaign earning second in a $50,000 allowance optional claiming event on the main track at Tampa Bay Downs.

Her last win came in October versus optional claiming company, grabbing the lead into the far turn in a six furlong event and never looking back to score by 3 ½ lengths.

Lu Lu Laura has worked six times before her seasonal debut including her latest coming over the Monmouth Park main track, where she went five furlongs in 1:01 3/5.

“When it comes to races going 5/8ths, there really isn’t much planning you can do,” said O’Connell. “It will all depend on the jockeys and how they all break and go from there.”

Two horses are entering the Crank It Up after breaking their maiden at first asking on the turf, both from Jason Servis’ barn. Hidden Mystery, owned by Gary and Mary West, got to the winner’s circle closing late to grab a maiden special weight event going five furlongs by a nose while Dennis A. Drazin’s Mighty Patient finished well to graduate by ¾ of a length in maiden claiming company sprinting at Gulfstream Park.

The Crank It Up Stakes will go as race 10 on Saturday’s 11-race card. Gates will open early at 11 a.m. with first post scheduled at 12:50 p.m.

MONMOUTH PARK SET TO HOST RUTGERS DAY SATURDAY

Get ready to cheer on the Scarlet Knights this Saturday at Monmouth Park as the racetrack plays host to Rutgers Day All guests wearing Rutgers gear will receive free Grandstand admission, and everyone will have a chance for photos with the Rutgers’ mascot while listening to Rutgers marching band from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
A tent will be erected at the Grandstand entrance to discuss the upcoming football season for the Big 10 Scarlet Knights.
Gates will open early at 11 a.m. with first post coming at 12:50 p.m.

GATES OPEN EARLY SATURDAY FOR BELMONT STAKES DAY SIMULCAST

The third jewel in the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes runs this Saturday and Monmouth Park is the place to be to catch all the simulcast action from Big Sandy.
Saturday’s gates will open early at 11 a.m. with Belmont Park’s first race going at 11:35 a.m.
Belmont’s entire card, which will be beamed-in to Monmouth, has six Grade 1 races, a pair of Grade 2’s and a Grade 3 event.
The Belmont Stakes has an estimated post of 6:37 p.m. Advance wagering on that race will be offered on Friday at Monmouth beginning at noon.
Also on Friday, Monmouth Park will change its first post to 1 p.m. for one day only. Gates will still open at 11:30 a.m.

47TH ANNUAL IRISH FESTIVAL SUNDAY, JUNE 11 AT MONMOUTH

The 47th annual Irish Festival will return to Monmouth Park this Sunday, June 11. Enjoy a beautiful day of live racing highlighted by Irish step dancing, crafters, food, and a pipe and drum competition. Three different stages throughout the park will host music from the Emerald Isle all day long.
Patrons will also get a chance to enjoy the fan-favorite Human Horse Race, where runners will break from the gate in a sprint on Monmouth’s main track for charity, each in his or her own saddle cloth.
Monmouth Park’s Family Fun Day will continue as well with face painting, pony rides, and a bounce house in the picnic area.
The day kicks off early with a special Irish Mass at 11 a.m. on the Grandstand’s paddock side, first floor. Gates will open on Sunday at 10 a.m., with first post slated at 12:50 p.m.

BLU GROTTO BEER GARDEN OPEN AFTER EVERY LIVE RACE DAY

The brand new Blu Grotto Beer Garden is now open for the 2017 season. Fresh off the heels of the successful opening of the Blu Grotto Ristorante last year, the Blu Grotto Beer Garden features 20 different brews, live entertainment and top-of-the-line cuisine each weekend. Beer Garden doors open at 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 12 noon on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, visit www.monmouthpark.com, or www.blugrottonj.com.