Rock Talk Farm’s Punchin’ Chudy took command out of the gate
and held off the late charge of Charlies Dream to capture the $50,000 starter
allowance feature at Monmouth Park on Friday.
Trained by Jane Cibelli, the meet’s top conditioner, and
ridden by Elvis Trujillo, the meet’s leading rider, Punchin’ Chudy completed
the mile and 70 yards over a fast main track in 1:43 1/5. Sent off the 2-1 favorite in the field of 12
New Jersey-bred fillies and mares, Punchin’ Chudy returned $6.20, $4.40 and
$3.20 and topped the $59.80 exacta. It
was a length and three-quarters back to Charlies Dream, who paid $7.40 and
$5.20. Thedamageisdone was another five
lengths back in third, good for a $4.60 show mutuel.
Friday’s win was the first this year and second lifetime for
Punchin’ Chudy, a 5-year-old by Two Punch by the Maria’s Mon mare Admiringly.