Loving Dove and Breathoffresheir win Monmouth stakes

Equi-Photo

Loving Dove and jockey Elvis Trujillo return after winning a division of the Jersey Juvenile.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Loving Dove and Breathoffresheir captured the $70,000 divisions of the Jersey Juvenile for 2-year-olds on Saturday at Monmouth Park. The six-furlong Jersey Juvenile was the last major stakes of the season for New Jersey-breds.

Loving Dove ($10.40) won the colt division by 1 1/2 lengths over Porcini Prince. Trained by Greg Sacco, Loving Dove thrived on the return to statebred action after running in a pair of open stakes. Loving Dove split rivals with Elvis Trujillo aboard for his second win in five starts.

“He raced against the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner two back and last out faced Sweet Ducky, who Kelly Breen thinks the world of,” Sacco said. “This is a very talented horse. I can’t say right now if he’s better going short or long. He’ll get time off now and come back February 15 and prepare for next season here.”

The time was 1:11.

Breathoffresheir improved her record to 2 for 3 in the filly division. Running for the first time with blinkers, she took charge on the turn and scored a two-length victory over Ima Jersey Girl, trained by Sacco.

Trainer Ben Perkins Jr. said he always thought highly of Breathoffresheir.

“She’s a very athletic looking filly," he said. "I told the jockey to just get her in front of Sacco’s horse. My horse had more experience and I knew if she was in front and could keep the other one down inside, we’d be okay. Everything worked out perfectly. We’ll probably give her a little time off after this.”

Carlos Marquez, Jr. was aboard as Breathoffresheir ($4.40) was timed in 1:11.19.