Eric Fein’s C C’s Pal took command out of the gate and dug in gamely in the lane to post a nose victory in the $75,000 Monmouth Beach Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.
With Kendrick Carmouche in the irons, C C’s Pal set fractions of :23 3/5 for the quarter and :47 1/5 for the half mile. Successful Song, who stalked the pacesetter, put her head in front inside the eighth pole as Sweet N Sour Nina rallied on the far outside. After a blanket finish, the judges posted C C’s Pal the winner in a time of 1:42 3/5 for the mile and 70 yards over a fast main track.
“She’s a flexible filly,” said winning trainer Derek Ryan. “You can send with her or sit right off the pace. She’s an honest filly and really a trainer’s dream. She’s been stakes placed eight times and is definitely a filly that deserved to get that stakes win.”
C C’s Pal returned $9.60, $4.60 and $2.80 across the board in the field of six fillies and mares. Sweet N Sour Nina completed the $38.80 exacta and paid $3.20 and $2.20. It was another nose back to Successful Song, who returned $2.40 to show.
The Monmouth Beach marked the fourth victory in 19 starts for C C’s Pal, a 4-year-old daughter of Alex’s Pal from the Noactor mare Roca. She has now earned $313,386 for her connections.
Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Saturday, May 21. Gates will open at 10:00 a.m. for the simulcast of Pimlico’s race card, including the Preakness Stakes, expected to feature Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom.
As always, Monmouth Park is open seven days a week for simulcasting from across the country and around the globe.