Monmouth Park Barn Notes - August 15
Trainer Bobby Dibona will send Hard Enough into Saturday’s $60,000 Restoration Stakes in search of his second straight stakes win. Hard Enough surged around the far turn on July 20 to win the Jersey Derby by a length and a half for his third career victory and first ever stakes win, stepping the mile and a sixteenth in 1:41 flat.“He’s just coming into this race beautifully,” Dibona said. “Paco’s (jockey Lopez) worked him twice and he’s just going up.”
A 3-year-old colt by Hard Spun out of Grecian Wings, Hard Enough breezed four furlongs in :52 on August 4, and breezed five furlongs in 1:02 4/5 on August 11, both over a fast main track at Monmouth. Carrying the colors of Peace Sign Stable, Hard Enough will run in Oceanport for the fourth time on Saturday, where he has finished in the money in each contest thus far.
Hard Enough will break from the rail as he and a field of eight 3-year-olds travel a mile and an eighth, Hard Enough’s furthest test to date, over the turf in Saturday’s Restoration.
“He likes to be outside, this horse in particular,” said Dibona, “but he’s got enough speed going a mile and an eighth. He’ll be forwardly placed and Paco will get him where he needs to be. I think the extra 16th will help him, the longer the better for him. It should be the same scenario as last time. We’ll be chasing the same horse, so hopefully we’ll just track him around again and get the first jump and go.”
Shining Copper led most of the way in the Jersey Derby before giving way to Hard Enough and posting a third place finish. In all there are four competitors in the Restoration who ran in the Jersey Derby last out, the other two being Gun Point and English Minister.
The Restoration will go as race 11 on a 12-race Saturday card at Monmouth.
MONMOUTH HOSTS SHORE CHEF CRAB CAKE COOK-OFF THIS WEEKEND
Monmouth Park will host the Shore Chef Crab Cake Cook-Off this weekend, where restaurants from around New Jersey will compete to see who is the best crab cake creator as voted by the fans. Competitors include Bahr’s Landing, Bacon on Wheels, Ben’s BBQ & Catering, My Two Sons, Harvest Specialty, and Ike’s Crab Cakes. Patrons will be able to vote at the judge’s tent on both days, where they can also enter to win gift certificates to various restaurants. The winner of the cook off will be announced at the end of the day on Sunday. The competition will add to a full weekend of events at Monmouth Park, including live racing each day.
Along with the crab cake cookers, there will be a variety of crafters and vendors at the park, such as Wild Bill’s old fashioned soda pop, Designer Diva, Nancy’s Candys and more. There will also be live music on both days of the festival as BethAnne Clayton performs on Saturday. After the Reign will perform on Sunday with Family Fun Day in full swing, which features pony rides, face painting, bounce houses, and other family friendly activities.
Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the first race is set for 12:50 p.m. on both days of the festival.
$2,272.83 CARRYOVER FOR FRIDAY’S JERSEY SHORE SIX
Monmouth’s newest wager, the Jersey Shore Six, will have a carryover of $2,272.83 added to the pool should one person walk away with the lone winning ticket on Friday.
The Jersey Shore Six, which is based on the popular Rainbow Six at Gulfstream, has a 10-cent base wager. To win the jackpot, a ticket must have the winner of the last six races on the card and be the only one to have done so. If more than one person has a winning ticket, they split 60% of the net pool with 40% going to the carryover.
MONMOUTH V. PARX JOCKEYS CHARITY SOFTBALL GAME AUG. 20
Jockeys from Monmouth Park will go head-to-head with the riders from Parx in a charity softball game on Tuesday, Aug. 20, with all proceeds going to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Monmouth head coach Joe Bravo will manage a team comprising of Elvis Trujillo, Paco Lopez, and captain Jose Ferrer. The Oceanport home team will face the Philadelphia visitors as managers Victor Molina and Josiah Hampshire Jr. coach a team including top Parx riders John Bisono and Kendrick Carmouche.
“It’s a great way to raise awareness and funds for a very worthy cause,” said coach Joe Bravo, who is also a 13 time Monmouth leading jockey.
First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. at Wolf Hill, directly across the street from Monmouth Park. Admission to the game is free with donations gladly accepted.