Twilight Eclipse Seeks Redemption in United Nations

Twilight Eclipse returns for redemption in Sunday’s Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park, going a mile and three eighths on the turf, after missing by a neck in last year’s edition to Horse of the Year finalist Main Sequence. The United Nations is a Breeders’ Cup Win & You’re In event for the Turf Division.

“He has been training super,” said trainer Tom Albertrani, who conditions the horse for West Point Thoroughbreds. “He had a strong work last week and is ready to go for Sunday.”

That last workout came on June 26 where he went five furlongs over a fast Belmont Park main track in 1:00. It was the fastest time by any of the 13 horses that went five furlongs on that day.

The 6-year-old gelding by Purim out of the Twilight Agenda mare My Twilight Dancer last ran in the Grade 1 Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes undercard. He sat right off the lead early in the race but never got going down the stretch, finishing seventh behind eventual winner Slumber and place finisher Big Blue Kitten, who are both Grade 1 winners entered in Sunday’s U.N.

His latest triumph came on May 9 in the Grade 1 Man O’War at Belmont Park where he battled War Dancer, who was trying to take the field wire-to-wire, the entire stretch before gaining the lead with 100 yards to go and winning by a neck.

“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of speed early in the race,” said Albertrani.  “He likes to sit closer to the pace and then make a big move coming for home.”

Claude McGaughey III’s Grade 1 winning trainee Imagining ships in after running in the Man O’War with his latest victory coming in the Pan American at Gulfstream Park on March 28.

Twilight Eclipse hopes to get the last laugh this time against Main Sequence, who has beaten him in five straight races they have been entered in together dating back to last year.

The United Nations is race 11 on Sunday’s 12-race card. The Grade 3 Salvator Mile will be also be featured on Sunday. Both races will be televised live on Fox Sports 1 starting at 4:30 p.m. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with first post at12:50 p.m.

JUST CALL KENNY LOOKING FOR UPSET IN SUNDAY’S GRADE 3 SALVATOR MILE

Just Call Kenny stretches back out to two turns as he looks to score an upset victory in Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Salvator Mile over the Monmouth Park main track.

A Monmouth Park regular, Just Call Kenny is stabled here as well as raced here for five of his 10 career starts including breaking his maiden and being an entrant in last year’s William Hill Haskell Invitational, won by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern.

“He has been eating well and doing well since his last race,” said Pat McBurney, who trains the horse for Dominic Bossone, P.D. Donnelly, James Cahill, ABL Stable and Phantom Horse Farm. “He didn’t get out of the gate well in his last two starts and got stuck against a fast pace. The distance change should help him.”

The 4-year-old colt by Jump Start out of the Green Dancer mare Green Jeans has run his last two starts at MonmouthPark, both in $30,000 allowance/optional claimer sprints going six furlongs, where he broke slowly in both starts and got stuck behind quick paces to finish off the board in each.

Just Call Kenny’s last work came in between his last two starts on June 12, where he ran four furlongs in :48 4/5 over a fast Monmouth Park main track.

“It’s going to be a tough race,” said McBurney. “There is a lot of really good horses in the field. We are most likely going to sit back fifth or sixth early on and look for a good spot to make one good run.”

There are four multiple graded stakes winners set to go in the Salvator Mile: Valid, Pants On Fire, Race Day and Coup de Grace. Christophe Clement trainee Red Vine found his last success over the Monmouth Park main track in the Majestic Light earlier in the meet.

The Salvator Mile will be race 10 on Sunday’s 12-race card. It will be the first of two graded stakes on the day, with the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations Stakes to follow, featuring five Grade 1 winners including Horse of the Year Finalist Main Sequence.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with first post at 12:50 p.m.

FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND EVENTS CONTINUE AT MONMOUTH PARK

Fourth of July weekend festivities will continue Sunday at Monmouth Park with a full slate events scheduled.

Monmouth Park is throwing the ultimate backyard BBQ with the Red, White & Blue Party presented by Budweiser. The party includes different competitions including a game pit with corn hole and horseshoes, eating competitions and great prizes for the best red, white and blue outfits. All day long, there will Bud and Bud Light specials along with live music from After the Reign and Rachel Allyn. Arrive early to receive a free Monmouth Park beach tote while supplies last.

Also on Sunday is the $200 Monmouth Park/Woodbine Racetrack Handicapping Challenge with the top two finishers earning berths into the 2016 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship and the winner getting an entry in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge.

All military, police, fire, EMT in uniform or with I.D. will receive Free Grandstand or Clubhouse admission on Sunday as well.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with first post at 12:50 p.m. for the entire weekend.

Source: Monmouth Park