Wicked Tune Holds Off A P Elvis in My Frenchman

Patricia Generazio’s Wicked Tune held off a late surge by A P Elvis to capture the $60,000 My Frenchman Stakes at Monmouth Park by a neck on Saturday. 

Trained by Jane Cibelli, Wicked Tune hesitated slightly at the break before rushing up on the inside to gain command soon after the start.  The 6-year-old was pressed by Respighi most of the way before pulling clear of that foe and holding on to the wire, stepping the 5 ½ furlongs over “good” turf in 1:04 3/5.  Wicked Tune returned $3.80, $2.80 and $2.10 as the odds-on favorite in the field of seven colts and geldings. 

A P Elvis completed the $19.60 exacta and paid $4.60 and $2.60.  It was another length back to Night Officer, who paid $2.10 to show.

“He broke a little slow but it didn’t take long to get him going,” said winning jockey Elvis Trujillo.  “The pace wasn’t actually that fast so he had it all his own way.  The turf was a little soft, but he handled it well.  He was very good today.” 

Wicked Tune has won four straight and nine of his 29 lifetime outings.  He has earned $279,858 for his connections.