Goldberg Saddles American Girl, Means Well in Violet
Trainer Alan Goldberg sends out American Girl and Means Well, who are both looking for their first graded stakes victory, in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Violet Stakes going a mile and a eighth on the turf.
“Both horses have been training well going into the race,” said Goldberg, who trains the horses for Richard Santulli. “They trained on the same day and both looked good.”
American Girl is coming off a wire-to-wire victory by a neck in a mile and a sixteenth allowance/optional claiming event on August 8. She sports a 1-1-1 record in her four career starts over the Monmouth turf course.
The 4-year-old Irish-bred filly by High Chaparral out of the Anabaa mare Dance for Fun has worked just once since her last outing. The breeze came on August 23 at Colts Neck Stables where she went four furlongs in :47 3/5 over the firm turf course.
“We are going to look for a good break from her,” said Goldberg when asked about American Girl. “She loves being on the lead, so we will see how far she can go.”
Julian Pimentel will be aboard American Girl for the second time in her career on Saturday, first since 2014.
Means Well has won two of her three career starts over the Monmouth turf with the only race off the board coming in the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes on the Haskell undercard where she pressed the pace before finishing fifth by four lengths behind late-closing winner Casual Smile.
The 4-year-old filly by Smart Strike out of the Cat Thief mare Great Intentions has worked once since her fifth place finish last time out. That breeze came on August 23 at Colts Neck Stables where she went five furlongs in :59 1/5 on the firm turf course.
The rider for Means Well is still to be determined for Saturday.
Both of Goldberg’s entries will have to get by Cushion, who was fourth in the Matchmaker last time out, and Maximova, runner up in the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay at Belmont Park three starts back, a pair from the Christophe Clement barn. Chad Brown sends out Granny Mc’s Kitten, who is by Kitten’s Joy and was winner in a $80,000 allowance/optional claimer her last start at Saratoga.
The Violet will be race 11 on Saturday’s 12-race card. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with first post at 12:50 p.m.
SIMULCAST OF AMERICAN PHAROAH’S TRAVERS RUN THIS SAT., EARLY OPENING
Triple Crown and William Hill Haskell winner American Pharoah will make his next start in the $1.6 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga this Saturday, and with a sold-out capped admission at the Spa already announced, Monmouth Park is the place to be to watch the Champion make his first start since his Haskell romp.
Gates will open earlier than normal at 11 a.m. at Monmouth Park on Saturday, with the first simulcast race from Saratoga at 11:45 a.m. Monmouth’s 12-race live card gets underway at 12:45 p.m., a slightly earlier start than the usual 12:50 p.m.
Monmouth’s Saturday card will be highlighted by the Grade 3 Violet Stakes.
The Travers has an estimated post of 5:46 p.m.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKEND AT MONMOUTH THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY
With football season right around the corner, fans can get a jump start on their fantasy teams and get insight and analysis from the industry’s leading professionals with the FNTSY Football Weekend at Monmouth Park this Saturday and Sunday.
On the dais Saturday, with their top selections, and a Q & A from the crowd, will be: Rick Cerone, Wayne Chrebet, Chris Doleman, Eric Young, Chris Vaccaro, Lisa Ann and ‘Tommy G’ Gelati.
The event runs from 3 to 7 p.m. in the William Hill Race & Sports Bar, located on the first floor of the Grandstand
On Sunday, it’s football themed fun for the whole family. From noon to 6 p.m. games, prizes, food and fun are on tap with everyone wearing a football jersey receiving free Grandstand admission.
Source: Monmouth Park