Monmouth: Silver Screamer captures Grade 3 Eatontown in stakes debut

Ryan Denver/Equiphoto

Silver Screamer, ridden by Juan Espinoza, captures the Eatontown for fillies and mares.

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Silver Screamer took a major step forward on Saturday, capturing the Grade 3, $105,000 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park in her stakes debut.

A 4-year-old filly trained by Rudy Rodriguez, Silver Screamer had been on a roll in New York with three wins and a second in five starts since being claimed for $20,000 last summer at Saratoga.

The Eatontown on the turf was Silver Screamer’s stakes coming-out party and the gray put on a show.

Laying second for most of the race behind the pacesetting Marquet Madness, Silver Screamer and jockey Jose Espinoza moved between rivals on the far turn before taking charge at the top of the lane. She comfortably held off Heavenly Landing by 1 1/2 lengths with Unbridled Humor third.

“She’s a very nice filly,” Rodriguez said. “We got very lucky when [owner] Mike Imperio claimed her. We’ve tried to do the right thing by her and she’s been very, very good to us.”

Silver Screamer paid $11.40 to win as the fourth choice in the wagering. The time was 1:40.41 for the 1 1/16 miles over the firm course on a steamy afternoon.

Ruthenia, winner of the Violet Stakes here on Memorial Day, rallied for fourth. The 3-2 favorite, Ruthenia lacked the electrifying closing kick that carried her to the Violet victory.

Vivo Per Lei was fifth followed by Dinner’s Out, Little Often Anni, and Marquet Madness.

Successful Song takes Lighthouse

Successful Song powered up the rail to take the $76,000 Lighthouse Stakes for fillies and mares on the main track.

She beat Cascabella by 3 1/4 lengths with Daring Reality a very distant third. Angel Serpa was aboard for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. as the 5-year-old got her sixth win in 22 starts.

Successful Song paid $12.60 as she ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.22.

North Freeway, the 6-5 favorite who had won three in a row, was eased on the second turn and was vanned off.

Water shortage in area near track

The card proceeded despite a water emergency in the surrounding area.

All residents of Monmouth County were advised to boil water before drinking, and all outdoor water use was banned.

The county-wide state of emergency was implemented after three water mains collapsed at a nearby treatment plant. It could be several days before normal water pressure is restored.

Restrooms on the track’s upper levels were closed while concession stands offered bottled water, soda, and beer. There were no water-based drinks such as coffee.

Stiff penalties for apprentice rider

Apprentice jockey Armando Ayuso has been suspended 30 days and fined $5,000 for grabbing the equipment of a rival deep in stretch run of the ninth race on June 22.

The stewards ruled that Ayuso, riding Coco Ecolo, reached over to his inside and touched Daddy’s Honor as the two horses battled to the wire.

Daddy’s Honor prevailed by a nose over Coco Ecolo.

The suspension is scheduled to begin July 6. Ayuso has petitioned the New Jersey Racing Commission for a stay of the ban.