BONITA BIANCA CAPTURES MONMOUTH’S SUNDAY FEATURE

By John Heims —-

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Bonita Bianca took advantage of the class relief for her 2018 debut by running down leader Starship Reina at the sixteenth pole and going on to a 2¼-length victory in Sunday’s $40,000 featured allowance at Monmouth Park.

After running only in stakes races during her five starts a year ago, all of them a mile or longer, the 4-year-old daughter of Curlin-Friendly Michelle, showed her readiness for the year by winning the six-furlong race in a snappy 1:09.74.

“It’s exactly what we wanted,” said trainer Jason Servis. “She didn’t break well but we could not have asked for more for her first start this year.”

Bonita Bianca, who returned $4.60 to win as the favorite in the field of five, broke last before jockey Paco Lopez quickly moved her into contention after the opening quarter. She took aim at Starship Reina heading into the final turn with a sweeping move and then went on to the victory with a strong finish. It was another four lengths back to Summer Sweet in third.

The exacta with Starship Riena returned $13.00.

The victory was Bonita Bianca’s fifth in 10 career starts.

Racing resumes at Monmouth Park on Saturday, June 9, with gates opening at 11 a.m. to accommodate the Belmont Stakes card and Justify’s attempt to win the Triple Crown. Post time for Monmouth’s live racing card is 12:50 p.m.