Photo: CDI
TK Riley Farms’ Rileys Monarch,
void of early foot, commenced a strong rally outside the leaders when
set down for the drive in Thursday’s $45,000 optional claiming feature
for older accredited
Louisiana-bred fillies and mares at Fair Grounds and proved best by
three lengths
at the wire.
The winner, ridden by defending Fair Grounds jockey champion
Shaun Bridgmohan and trained by Sam
Breaux, toured the mile
and 70 yard distance of the race taken off the grass and run on the main
track in 1:46.71, increased her career earnings to $86,720 with her
third win in 10 lifetime starts and returned mutuels
of $9.80, $3.80 and $2.20.
Michael Almerico II’s
Royal Madame, who made the pace with fractions of 25.17 and 49.94 under jockey
Jesse Campbell, could not
withstand the winner in the late stages but clearly held the place,
finishing 1 1/4-lengths to the good of Scott & Company’s favored
Muffin, who had no late rally.
Royal Madame paid $12 and $5 to place, and Muffin returned $2.60 to show.