Sunny Ridge, Hi Holiday Capture Stakes at Monmouth

Dennis A. Drazin’s Sunny Ridge came with a wide run before opening up in the lane to capture the $100,000 Sapling Stakes as D.J. Stable LLC’s Hi Holiday pushed passed Crystal Rosario to win the $75,000 Sorority Stakes, the top two events for 2-year-olds at the Shore stand.

Before an enthusiastic crowd of 13,526, Sunny Ridge and jockey Nik Juarez sat fifth of the six-horse field going up the backstretch before coming with a wide rally that saw him grab the lead at the top of the stretch and widen to a 2 ¼ length victory.  Sunny Ridge paid $9.80, $4 and $2.60 and topped a $22.80 exacta.  Full Salute, the post-time favorite, returned $3.20 and $2.40.  It was another 6 ½ lengths back to Pinnacle Peak, who paid $2.60 to show.

“I always thought he’d be better going longer,” said winning trainer Jason Servis.  “The plan was to take back and get covered up and see what happened from there.  He was loaded turning for home and was really impressive today.  We’ll look for a 2-year-old stakes somewhere around the country for his next start.”

Bred in the State of New Jersey by his owner, Sunny Ridge now sports a record of 2-0-0 from three starts, good for earnings of $79,752.

Two races prior to the Sapling, the girls took to the track with Hi Holiday upsetting her rivals by a neck, paying $28.60, $11 and $4.40.  Pacesetter Crystal Rosario completed the $420 exacta and paid $24 and $6.40.  It was another length and a half to 2-5 favorite Island Saint, who paid $2.20 to show.

“Everything worked out really nice today,” said winning jockey Trevor McCarthy.  “We had a good break and I was able to take her back and be patient with her.  We just needed a little room, but when we got that she gave me all she had.”

Trained by Joe Orseno, Hi Holiday is now a perfect two-for-two after breaking her maiden here on Aug. 22.  The daughter of Harlan’s Holiday from the Proud Citizen mare Bolyen has banked $65,520 for her connections.

Source: Monmouth Park