Ancil Returns to Monmouth Turf Course
Ancil returns to the Monmouth Park turf course as he looks for his first win of 2015 in Saturday’s My Frenchman Stakes going five and a half furlongs.
“He has been doing really well at Monmouth,” said trainer Joan Scott, who conditions the horse for Scott Farmer and Kathy Thompson. “I think five and a half furlongs is his preferred distance instead of just five.”
Ancil was last seen on July 11 in the Grade 3 Parx Dash where he finished eighth by three and three-quarter lengths behind eventual winner Tightend Touchdown and last year’s champion Ben’s Cat.
He has worked twice since then, both going five furlongs over the Monmouth Park main track. His latest came on July 31 where went the distance in 1:00 1/5, which was the fastest time by any horse going five furlongs on that day.
His latest success came back in March 2014 where he took the Turf Dash at Tampa Bay Downs on the front end for most of the five furlong event to score a length and a quarter victory.
“He has been gaining good weight and getting a nice coat since coming back from England and Woodbine,” said Scott. “He’s comfortable and really enjoying it here.”
The 6-year-old gelding by City Zip out of the With Approval mare Le Grand Belle is one of six stakes winners in the field of 10 older horses including Bruce Alexander’s Dreamsgonewild, who took the John McSorley Stakes at Monmouth earlier in the meet.
“We’re going to look for a good break and let the cards fall where they may,” said Scott. “We won’t be too far back early. Hopefully it will set him up for a good run.”
The My Frenchman will be race 10 on Saturday’s 12-race card. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post at 12:50 p.m.
KOURTNEY’S CHALLENGE 2-MILE FUN RUN/WALK AND FOOD BANK DAY SUNDAY
This Sunday, Monmouth Park will host Kortney’s Challenge, a two mile fun run/walk. Proceeds from Kortney’s Challenge will go to the Kortney Rose Foundation, an organization devoted to raising money to support research and education related to the treatment and cure of pediatric brain tumors.
The race will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the track’s entrance and will end two miles later in the Grandstand. Runners will also receive free Grandstand admission to the park with registration to Kortney’s Challenge. Participants can register on race day in person starting at 8:30 a.m., or online at www.thekortneyrosefoundation.
Nonparticipants can also receive free admission by participating in Food Bank Day and donating a canned food or a non-perishable item. All food donations will go to the Monmouth/Ocean County Food Bank.
Monmouth’s gates will open at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, with the first race set for 12:50 p.m.
Source: Monmouth Park