Rileys Monarch Wins Fair Grounds Feature

TK Riley Farms’ Rileys Monarch, void of early foot, commenced a strong rally outside the leaders when set down for the drive in Thursday’s $45,000 optional claiming feature for older accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares at Fair Grounds and proved best by three lengths at the wire.

The winner, ridden by defending Fair Grounds jockey champion Shaun Bridgmohan and trained by Sam Breaux, toured the mile and 70 yard distance of the race taken off the grass and run on the main track in 1:46.71, increased her career earnings to $86,720 with her third win in 10 lifetime starts and returned mutuels of $9.80, $3.80 and $2.20.

Michael Almerico II’s Royal Madame, who made the pace with fractions of 25.17 and 49.94 under jockey Jesse Campbell, could not withstand the winner in the late stages but clearly held the place, finishing 1 1/4-lengths to the good of Scott & Company’s favored Muffin, who had no late rally.

Royal Madame paid $12 and $5 to place, and Muffin returned $2.60 to show.