Philippis Heads Big M Friday Feature

Bruno Schickedanz’s Philippis, a nice $12,500 claim earlier this year, has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite for Friday’s $30,000 allowance/optional claiming event, the feature on the Monmouth-at-Meadowlands opening day card.

“She’s proved to be a real nice claim,” said Yvon Belsoeur, who conditions the 4-year-old daughter by Belong to Me.  “She really likes the turf here at Monmouth and hopefully she’ll like the Meadowlands just as much.”

On April 14 of this year at Tampa Bay Downs, Philippis was claimed from a mile and 40 yard event on the main track.  Since then she tried the dirt twice for her new connections, both to no avail.  But everything changed for her on June 21 when Belsoeur decided to try her on the grass.

“On the dirt, she was no good,” Belsoeur said.  “On the turf, that’s another story.  She’s shown versatility in her races, which is always nice.  I’ll wait and see what Paco (jockey) Lopez does on Friday.”

In her turf debut this year, Philippis rallied from off the pace to post a neck victory in a $12,500 claiming event.  She stepped up in price thereafter, winning for $18k while running close or on the lead the whole way.  That was followed by another score on Aug. 3, drawing off by nearly four lengths when in for $20,000.  In her last race, an optional claimer at Parx on Aug. 24, she finished second after taking the lead turning for home.

“She did okay at Parx,” said Belsoeur, “but she prefers Monmouth much better.”

Philippis will reunite with jockey Paco Lopez for the Friday feature as the duo break from post two in the one mile event.

The Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet will run 10 all-turf cards with live racing slated for Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays through Nov. 2.  The lone exception will be Monday, Oct. 21, which is a dark day.

Post time for live racing will be 2:15 p.m. with gates opening at 11:30 a.m.  The Meadowlands will offer free parking and free admission throughout the Thoroughbred meet.