Bay Numbers makes Grass Debut in Tyro

Bay Numbers makes his inaugural start on the grass when he faces six rivals in Sunday’s $60,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds going five and a half furlongs.

“He came out of the Sanford fine,” said Eddie Plesa Jr., who conditions the horse for Live Oak Plantation. “Paco (Lopez) told me that we should try him on the turf, so I’m going to trust him on that. The outside post is alright with me.”

The 2-year-old colt by Algorithms out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Zawzooth is exiting a fifth place performance in the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga on July 23. He broke his maiden two starts back when he took a five furlong maiden special weight event over a muddy Monmouth main track on July 9 when he was head-to-head on the lead before moving in front at the quarter pole and pulling away to a 6 ¼ lengths win.

Bay Numbers is not the only one in the Tyro that is coming out of graded stakes company. Wesley Ward trainee Lightning Dove made his last start in the Grade 3 Schuylerville at Saratoga on July 22.

Three of Bay Number’s rivals Sunday are exiting wins in their first attempt on the turf. Iron Mane, for Wesley Ward, and Ardmore Bay, conditioned by Tom Morley, broke their maidens at first asking while Follow the Dream, trained by Jason Servis, graduated in his second lifetime start.

The Tyro will be race 9 in Sunday’s 10-race card, complemented by the second day of the first-ever Italian Festival at Monmouth Park. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post scheduled for 12:50 p.m. 

FIRST-EVER ITALIAN FESTIVAL CONTINUES AT MONMOUTH PARK SUNDAY

The first-ever Italian Festival continues Sunday at Monmouth Park as a taste of Italy comes to the Jersey Shore.

The festival will include authentic music, games for all ages including two bocce courts, and delicious food from Luzzo’s La Pizza Napoletina, Mangia Mangia Catering, Four Boys, The Little Sicilian, Enzo’s Pizza, The Tasty Trolley and so much more.

Live music will be playing “On the Green” with the Rory Daniels Band on Sunday, which is also Family Fun Day featuring pony rides, face painters and bounce house.

Sunday’s 10-race, live Thoroughbred racing card will be headlined by the $60,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds on the turf.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post scheduled for 12:50 p.m.

KOURTNEY’S CHALLENGE 2-MILE FUN RUN/WALK AND FOOD BANK DAY SUNDAY

This Sunday, Monmouth Park will once again host Kortney’s Challenge, a two mile fun run/walk. Proceeds from the event will go to the Kortney Rose Foundation, an organization devoted to raising money to support research 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 parking and 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.org.

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.

Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, with the first race set for 12:50 p.m.

Source: Monmouth Park