Sokitumi Samurai Wins Monmouth Feature

Sokitumi Samurai moved for the lead around the turn and held off the late charge of Reserved Quality in the lane to capture the $42,000 allowance/optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park on Sunday by a little more than a length before a Mother’s Day crowd of 12,773.

Trained by Marcus Vitali and ridden by Orlando Bocachica, who teamed to win the race before the feature, Sokitumi Samurai stepped the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:10 1/5 and returned $5.80, $3.20 and $2.10 as the 9-5 favorite in the field of seven colts and geldings.  Reserved Quality completed the $15 exacta and paid $3.20 and $2.20.  It was another 3 ½ lengths back to Untamed, who paid $2.20 to show.

A 5-year-old gelding by First Samurai out of the Coronado’s Quest mare Pleasant Laughter, Sokitumi Samurai has won six of his 32 lifetime starts.  He races in the colors of John Grossi’s Racing Corp.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park next Saturday, May 17.  Gates open at 10:15 a.m. with live racing set for 12:50 p.m.  Monmouth will beam-in all the simulcast action from Pimlico on Saturday, including the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes and California Chrome’s bid to continue on the Triple Crown trail.  First simulcast race from Pimlico is slated for 10:45 a.m.