Encryption Returns to Monmouth Park
Kelly Breen trained Encryption, an entrant in last year’s Haskell Invitational, returns to Monmouth Park in Saturday’s$42,000 allowance optional claimer feature at a mile and 70 yards over the main track.
“We’re happy to bring him back to Monmouth,” said Breen, who trains the horse for Stoneway Farm. “I think he will like the cutback in distance from last time out.”
In his latest outing, Encryption set the pace in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special, going a mile and three-sixteenths, before the eventual winner, Commissioner, took the lead at the quarter pole and never looked back, leaving Encryption to finish fifth.
“We ran into a hot horse last time,” said Breen. “He worked really well a few days ago and is very comfortable at Monmouth.”
The 4-year-old colt, by Exchange Rate out of the Bahri mare Mystic Soul, has worked once over the Monmouth dirt since returning from Pimlico, going five furlongs in :58 1/5 over a fast track on June 6, which was the fastest time by the 31 horses that went five furlongs that day.
“There doesn’t look to be a lot of speed in this race,” said Breen. “When you have Paco (Lopez) riding your horses, you just let him ride. He knows what he needs to do for the horse to be in position to win the race.”
Paco Lopez has been aboard for eight of Encryption’s 11 career starts. Lopez won the 2010, 2013 and 2014Monmouth Park jockey titles and is currently leading this year’s rider standings with 16 wins on the meet.
Encryption is very familiar to Monmouth Park. He spots a 1-1-1 record in his four career starts in Oceanport. He broke his maiden here in May 2014 and went on to race in three of Monmouth Park’s top races: the Grade 3 Pegasus (2nd), the Long Branch (3rd) and the Grade 1 Haskell, behind eventual Breeders Cup Classic champion Bayern.
Gates open Saturday at 11:30 a.m. with first post at 12:50 p.m.
POPULAR DAWN PATROL RESUMES JUNE 20
Monmouth’s popular Dawn Patrol program, which gives fans a look into racing life behind the scenes, is scheduled to resume on Saturday, June 20 and run all the way through Aug. 23.
This year, Dawn Patrol will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 8 a.m. The free morning tour consists of a tram ride through the Monmouth Park stable area during workout hours, a close-up look at the starting gate, a tour of the jockeys’ room, which is usually off-limits to the public, and a running commentary on racetrack life by hostess Laurie Lane. Learn about the life of Thoroughbred race horse including training programs and equipment, feed programs and a variety of other topics.
Space is limited and reservations are required, which can be made by calling 732-571-5542 in advance.
$1,000 MYSTERY MUTUEL VOUCHER GIVEAWAY SATURDAY
Have a chance to win great prizes including a pair of 2015 William Hill Haskell tickets and up to $1,000 in Saturday’sMystery Mutuel Voucher Giveaway.
Register online at www.monmouthpark.com to receive your mystery mutuel voucher. You must register by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 11 to be eligible. Once registered, you will be emailed a voucher with a specific barcode on it.
On Saturday, bring a hard copy of your emailed voucher or have it on your Smartphone when you get to the racetrack. You can bring that barcode to the first floor grandstand, next to the gift shop, to be scanned and receive your prize. Every voucher is a winner.
Source: Monmouth Park