Laughing Lowers Course Record in Eatontown

Richard Santulli’s Laughing pushed past pacesetter Dayatthespa in deep stretch before posting a ¾ length win in the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday, lowering the track record to 1:39.26 for a mile and a sixteenth on firm turf.

Trained by Alan Goldberg, Laughing sat off the pace of odds-on favorite Dayatthespa, before angling out for the drive.  The winner returned $14.20, $3.80 and $2.60.  Dayatthespa completed the $28.60 exacta and paid $2.20 and $2.10.  Ruthenia rallied to finish another ¾ of a length back in third, good for a $2.20 show mutuel.

“Mr. Goldberg (trainer Alan) told me that there was a lot of speed in the race so I just wanted to sit off,” said winning jockey Angel Serpa.  “I rode her last year so I was familiar with her.  I placed her just behind the speed and when we turned for home she broke like the gates opened again.  She’s very good.”

A 5-year-old Irish-bred mare by Dansili from the Be My Chief mare Comic, Laughing has won 5 of her 12 career starts, good for earnings of $308,855.  The Eatontown was her first start since last Oct.

The previous course record for a mile and a sixteenth on turf with the portable rail set at 12 feet was established by Stormy Mirage on June 5, 2010, who covered the distance in 1:39.37.