Pletcher Enters Two Runners in Violet

This Saturday marks the 37th running of the Grade 3 Violet Stakes, and trainer Todd Pletcher has entered both Lady Aspen and Silsita in the hopes of capturing the winner’s share of the $100,000 purse. However, Pletcher is not yet certain that he will run both of his charges in the race.

“Todd still hasn’t decided if he’ll bring Silsita,” said Anthony Sciametta, Pletcher’s Monmouth Park assistant. “He’s on the fence, but Lady Aspen is going for sure.”

A 6-year-old mare by Grand Reward out of Candace in Aspen, Lady Aspen made her first start in the Pletcher barn on July 27 at Monmouth Park in the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes, posting a 10th place finish behind fellow Violet runners Starstruck and Irish Mission.

Since her last race Lady Aspen has been training at Monmouth Park where she has posted two works. One on August 10, where she breezed four furlongs in :50, and another at the same distance on August 17, working :51 along a fast track. Sciametta seems to be pleased with what he’s seen from the PRO Thoroughbred Enterprises color-bearer thus far.

“She wasn’t training here before the Matchmaker,” said Sciametta. “She’s done everything right since she’s been here. This is probably another step up for her, but we’ll just have to see how she does.”

Lady Aspen is part of an overflowing field of 15 that will travel a mile and one eighth along the turf in the Violet, the same surface and distance as Lady Aspen’s last race. Before her transfer to the Pletcher barn, Lady Aspen competed on all surfaces, transitioning regularly from synthetic surfaces to turf while under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in California. Although Sciametta says that he and Pletcher have not yet figured out what surface is best for her, she did take a liking to Monmouth’s turf course.

“She liked the turf here,” Sciametta said. “She was with another trainer so we haven’t had her long enough to tell what surface she likes best, but I guess we’ll find out Saturday.”

As for Lady Aspen’s likely position in the race Sciametta said, “Todd and I haven’t gone over strategy yet. We’ll do that tomorrow (Friday) morning.”

Eddie Castro is currently listed to ride both Lady Aspen and Silsita in the Violet, which will go as race 11 on Saturday’s 12-race card.

$400 NHC SUPER QUALIFIER HANDICAPPING CONTEST AT MONMOUTH SATURDAY

This Saturday Monmouth Park will host a $400 NHC Super Qualifier handicapping contest, the largest one day NHC-qualifying handicapping contest in the country. The top 10 finishers each earn an all-expense paid round-trip to Las Vegas and a berth in the 2015 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship.

Of the $400 required to participate, $250 constitutes the entry fee with the remaining $150 left for wagering. Bettors can make win, place, and show wagers on Monmouth and Saratoga only and must bet a minimum of 10 races, five at each track, at a minimum of $15 per race, with no maximum bet.

Sign ups for the contest begin at 11 a.m. inside both the Clubhouse and Grandstand entrances. Feel free to email bskirka@monmouthpark.com with any questions pertaining to the event. 

MONMOUTH TO HOST BBQ & CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Next weekend Monmouth Park will host its next big summer event, the BBQ & and Craft Beer Festival in celebration of Labor Day Weekend.

Fans will be able to enjoy smoked barbecue goodness from around the state including Ben's BBQ, Chop Shop BBQ, DRJ Catering, Enzo's Pizza, Five Sisters Catering, Four Boys Concession, JT's Drive In, Kim Chi Smoke, Local Smoke BBQ, Mary Queen of Pork, El Lechon De Negron, and Jersey Shore BBQ.

Patrons will also receive a commemorative mini-pilsner glass with a $10 entry fee into the beer garden, where they will be able to sample 10 craft beers.

There will be live music “On the Green” both days, with After The Reign performing Saturday and BethAnne Clayton playing Sunday.