Petey Cramer Looks to Continue Streak

Monmouth Park’s current leading trainer Jorge Navarro will send Petey Cramer into Saturday’s My Frenchman Stakes in search of his fourth straight victory and first stakes win.

“He’s doing excellent,” Navarro said. “He’s been training super. He’s a horse that came to my barn last year, the owner gave him a year off so I give him all the credit. He always believed that this horse was a nice horse, and he’s proved it. He’s training really good for this race.”

Racing in the colors of S. Speranza and Silver Streak Stables, Petey Cramer has claimed victory in his last three races: at Gulfstream Park on April 18, at Pimlico on June 1, and most recently at Monmouth on June 29 where he bested the field by a half length after sprinting five and one half furlongs along the turf in a $50,000 optional claiming event. Navarro said that he was very pleased with his horse’s effort.

“He ran a big race,” the trainer said. “I was amazed that he was laying second or third and made a move, usually he’s close to the front. It was a tough race and we beat some pretty nice horses. He came out of the race really good and I think he’s doing his best right now.”

A 6-year-old gelding by Mass Media out of Miss Woodruff, Petey Cramer has worked once since his last outing, posting a four furlong bullet move along Monmouth’s main track going the distance in :46 1/5 handily on July 21. Even though Petey Cramer has only run four of his 19 lifetime starts on the dirt, Navarro is strongly considering running even if weather forces the race off the turf.  

“We’d like to stay away from the rain,” Navarro said. “I’m going to study the race and see if I’ll run him if it’s off the turf, but he works super on the dirt here so I don’t see why not. I’ll talk to the owner and see what he thinks, but hopefully the weather holds off.”

Petey Cramer is third choice on the morning line at 4-1 in an overflowing field of 12. He will have to cross the wire before 5-2 morning line favorite Bold Thunder and second choice Partyallnightlong at 3-1 in order to claim the winner’s share of the $60,000 purse.  

As for strategy in the race, Navarro said, “I’m going to go to the lead. This is a tough race, a salty race, but we’ll see how good he is.”

Jockey Eddie Castro gets the call aboard Petey Cramer in the My Frenchman, which will go as race 11 on Saturday’s 12-race card.

TWO-YEAR-OLDS TAKE TO THE TURF IN SUNDAY’S TYRO STAKES

With wet weather in the forecast for the weekend, trainer Tony Wilson is preparing his charge Gottcha Blessin for the $60,000 Tyro Stakes. Although the 2-year-old event is scheduled at five furlongs along Monmouth’s turf course, Wilson is not upset with the idea of the race moving to the dirt.

“Gotcha Blessin is doing very well,” Wilson said. “We’re looking forward to the race, and we’re also looking forward to the rain. I’m sorry for the turf guys’ luck but I’ll be doing the rain dance. When we were at Bowie training him my exercise rider told me ‘when he runs on an off track you’re really going to see a good race out of him,’ so we don’t mind the rain at all.”

Recently Gottcha Blessin has been training at Monmouth in preparation for the Tyro. In his last work he breezed three furlongs in Oceanport in :35 3/5 along the main track on July 29. In the session before on July 23 Wilson sent his horse for a work on the turf, where he breezed four furlongs in :51 2/5. Wilson said that he was pleased with the way he handled the grass.

“He was fine,” said Wilson. “He did everything okay, but he did look around a little bit so that’s something we may have to correct down the line. That was his first chance to get on the turf in the middle of the racetrack during training with other horses galloping on the outside. He didn’t go crazy or anything, he handled it pretty well.”

A 2-year-old by Gottcha Gold out of Paisley Park, Gottcha Blessin is a perfect one-for-one in his racing career. On June 28 Gottcha Blessin went wire-to-wire besting the field by just under a length in a $50,000 maiden event along Monmouth’s dirt course. Wilson says that he plans to have his horse right in the mix of things again as his horse attempts to cross the wire first in a field of nine.

“I know it was a $50,000 claimer but he doesn’t like to get horses in front of him,” Wilson said. Most of these guys see Tony Wilson and they know where I’m going to be, I’m a speed guy. I’ll be right up there in the front.”

Jockey Jonathan Zayas will return aboard Gottcha Blessin in the Tyro, which will go as race 10 on Sunday’s 12-race card.

MILLER LITE GRANDSTAND GIVEAWAY SATURDAY, FAMILY FUN DAY SUNDAY

Monmouth Park will host a full weekend of events, with a Miller Lite Grandstand pass giveaway on Saturday and Family Fun Day on Sunday. 

On Saturday, with paid admission to the park, fans will receive a pass that is good for the rest of Monmouth Park’s racing season. At the gate patrons will receive a form which they can redeem for a “Miller Lite Pass” either at the Finish Line Welcome Center or at the Miller VIP Hangout. The VIP Hangout will also feature relaxed seating, $3 Miller Lite specials, giveaways, cornhole, and live entertainment from DJ Gotts of 95.9 the WRAT.

Family Fun Day will be on tap Sunday, and will be hosted in the picnic area with pony rides, face painters, a bounce house, and more family friendly activities. Fans can also enjoy live music from The Kootz who will perform “On the Green.”

As always, Monmouth will host a full card of live racing on both days as gates open at 11:30 a.m., with post-time set for 12:50 p.m.