Donegal Racing’s Irish You Well took the lead at the top of the stretch and repelled the bid of Just Call Kenny in the lane to capture the $100,000 Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday by a half-length.
“The jockey (Orlando Bocachica) did a great job,” said winning trainer Wayne Catalano. “The horse responded very well when he was asked and ran a really good race. We’re planning to run him in the Haskell (Grade 1, $1 million at Monmouth on July 27). He’s stabled there and that’s the reason I broke his maiden over there. He handles the surface really well.”
Irish You Well covered the mile and a sixteenth over a fast main track in 1:42 2/5 and paid $12, $5.80 and $3.60. Just Call Kenny completed the $72.40 exacta and paid $5.60 and $3.60. It was another 2 ½ lengths back to Encryption, who returned $3.40 to show. Misconnect, the 8-5 favorite in the field of nine 3-year-olds, finished fifth.
“I just wanted to break well and get good position,” said winning rider Orlando Bocachica. “I knew I had horse so the plan was to wait until the horses behind me came to me before I made my move. It worked out perfect.”
A colt by Broken Vow from the Pulpit mare Pun, Irish You Well broke his maiden last out at Monmouth, winning by an impressive 7 ½ lengths at odds of 2-5. Saturday’s win moved his lifetime mark to 2-1-5 from 10 starts, good for earnings of $182,150.
Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 6 – gates open 11:30 a.m., first post 12:50 p.m. In addition to the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations Stakes and beach towel giveaway, Sunday’s card will also feature a carryover of $26,924.79 in the Pick 5, which is on races six through 10.
