Natalie Victoria Wires Field in Monmouth Beach

James Riccio’s Natalie Victoria zoomed to the lead right from the start and never looked back, taking her nine rivals wire-to-wire in the $75,000 Monmouth Beach Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday before a crowd of 23,278.

Trained by Michelle Nevin, Natalie Victoria cut out quick fractions of :22 4/5 for the first quarter and :46 flat for a half mile, while under mild pressure from Fame and Fortune.  The daughter of Indian Ocean had plenty left as she zipped past six furlongs in 1:10 1/5 and crossed the wire in 1:41 2/5 for a mile and 70 yards over the fast main track.

“She broke perfectly and I just let her go right to the front,” said winning jockey Jose Ortiz.  “No matter how fast or slow she goes, if she gets to the lead she relaxes.  She did that today and was strong throughout.”

Zucchini Flower, who paid $4.60 and $3, finished 3 ½ lengths behind the winner, good for a $49.60 exacta.  It was another nine lengths back to post-time favorite Lady Cohiba, who returned $2.40 to show.

A six-year-old mare, Natalie Victoria has won 10 of her 32 outings.