June 17, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Keep it Interesting
Accede authored her best Jordan Romano impression to score the $200,000 Bed o’ Roses (G2) on Saturday at Aqueduct.
Following the likes of the Toronto Blue Jays closer, Accede was tasked with holding a late lead as a win hung in the balance. It got a little too close for comfort at times (sound familiar, Jays fans?), but just like the kid from Markham, Ontario, the 4-year-old filly still got the job done.
For successfully holding off 16-1 challenger Just Katherine by a neck, Accede earned her first graded title in her fourth attempt at the level.
The heart-pounding result, which pushed the Irad Ortiz Jr. mount’s lifetime record to 8-4-0-1, paid a cool $10.20.
No Need to Panic
It may have taken a more determined effort than initially expected, but even-money closing line choice Bright Future prevailed in Saturday’s $150,000 Salvator Mile (G3) at Monmouth Park.
Running from post two, the Todd Pletcher trainee had to navigate through tight quarters to find a more desirable position on the outside. Once he and rider Javier Castellano did so, it was game over for the pack of seven other competitors.
Together, the pair mounted a valiant comeback to swipe the 1-mile tilt by 1 3/4 lengths and secure the third graded trophy of Bright Future’s stellar career.
With the win, the 5-year-old now sits less than $75,000 away from the $1 million career earnings mark.
Bright Future paid $4.20 for the Salvator score.
Vindication!
Tax Implications (GB) hadn’t found the winner’s circle since her professional debut back in September of 2022.
That changed over the weekend when the 4-year-old filly finally put an end to a seven-race winless drought with a hard-fought victory in the $150,000 Eatontown (G3T) at Monmouth.
Closing as the board’s second choice despite the dry spell, Tax Implications and rider Flavien Prat steered clear of fellow 7-2 runner Marnan Joon (IRE) by a three-quarter length margin to capture their first graded event as a tandem.
Saturday’s breakthrough performance extended Tax Implications career line to 2-4-1 through nine starts.
The get-right win paid $9.60.
Double Trouble
The $157,500 Monmouth Stakes (G3T) proved to be twice as nice for bettors of both Running Bee and Fort Washington, as the pair finished in a dead-heat.
That’s right, the pair crossed the finish line at the exact same time, leaving the judges no choice but to declare them each as the winner.
The exhilarating finish, which was made possible by a last-minute head bob from Running Bee, treated Monmouth’s Saturday afternoon crowd to one of the sport’s most unique outcomes.
The shared win also happened to be the first graded triumphs for both competitors. For splitting the 1 1/8-mile affair down the middle, Running Bee paid $6.20, while Fort Washington returned $31.80.
Sunday Breeze
Whether it be football, basketball, baseball or horse racing, the final score can be misleading. That was the case on Sunday for the $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes at Aqueduct.
On paper, The Big Torpedo won the six-furlong romp by 3 ½ lengths. While nothing short of a drubbing at that margin, had the 3-year-old colt not been geared down, it could have easily ballooned even higher.
The guidance of rider Eric Cancel proved paramount for The Big Torpedo, as there was no need to overexert with the race firmly in their control.
Thanks to the smooth ride, those who sided with the closing line favorite collected $4.70 on a $2 win bet.