Wonderfella Holds On to Win Monmouth Feature

New Farm’s Wonderfella battled early with Distinctive Mix before digging in along the rail and holding off the late charge of Jeter to take the $42,000 allowance/optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park on Saturday by a half-length.

 

Trained by Ben Perkins Jr., Wonderfella covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 4/5, and returned $4.20, $3 and $2.40 as the favorite in the field of seven colts and geldings.  Jeter completed the $21.80 exacta and paid $4.60 and $3.  It was another 2 ¼ lengths back to Define, who paid $5 to show.

 

“I was going to take a hold early, but he was running too good and too easy to do that,” said winning jockey Paco Lopez.  “I knew we were going fast up front, but he was doing it on his own. Turning for home I asked him and he responded very well.”

 

Wonderfella, a 3-year-old taking on older horses, is by Harlan’s Holiday from the Carson City mare Carleaville.  He has now won two of his six lifetime starts.

 

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 13, when the track plays host to the Haskell Classic Car Show with over 100 rides from days gone by on display.

 

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