Summer Front, Summer Applause Win at MTH

Waterford Stable’s Summer Front came with a flying finish to capture the $100,000 Grade 3 Cliff Hanger Stakes at Monmouth Park as Summer Applause proved best in the $75,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes on the Sunday card.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Summer Front sat at the back of the pack early before unleashing a furious stretch rally to run down pacesetter Tune Me In to win by a length and a quarter.  Sent off the even-money favorite, Summer Front paid $4, $3.40 and $2.20 in the field of six colts and geldings.  Tune Me In completed the $33.20 exacta and paid $10.40 and $4.20.  It was another half-length back to Howe Great, who paid $2.40 to show.

“That was really eye opening,” said winning jockey Joe Bravo.  “I saved ground the whole way and when he saw daylight that was it.  What a quick turn of foot on this horse.  I’m just so impressed with him, to do that off the layoff.  All I can say is ‘wow’.”

A 4-year-old colt by War Front from the El Prado mare Rose of Summer, Summer Front has won seven of his 13 lifetime starts, good for $531,140 in earnings.

In the Lady’s Secret, Campbell, Greenwood LDG, Clark and Skoda’s Summer Applause moved three-wide for the lead around the far turn before reporting home a length and a quarter winner as the 1-2 favorite in the field of four fillies and mares.

Trained by Chad Brown, Summer Applause stepped the mile and a sixteenth over a fast main track in 1:45 4/5 and paid $3 and $2.10.  Royal Lahaina completed the $7.60 exacta and paid $2.80 to place.  Sharp Sally checked in third with Canadian Mistress rounding out the field.

“That looked like it was a pretty good confidence booster for her,” said winning rider Joe Bravo.  “I got into her around the far turn and she just kept on going.  She was clearly the best today and I was lucky enough to be aboard.”

A multiple graded stakes winner, Summer Applause improved her lifetime record to 6-2-0 from 13 starts.  The 4-year-old daughter of Harlan’s Holiday from the Royal Academy mare Summer Exhibition has earned $654,906.