Monzon

Adam Coglianese

Date	Track	Race	Finish	Chart	Distance	Time	BSF	Video
6/11/11	BEL	Belmont Stakes	9th		1 1/2 mile	2:30.88	67
5/14/11	BEL	Peter Pan	6th		1 1/8 mile	1:49.40	82
2/12/11	TAM	Sam Davis	5th		1 1/16 mile	1:34.51	72
10/10/10	KEE	Bourbon	5th		1 1/16 mile	1:43.60	62

Monzon Owner: Sagamore Farm Trainer: Ignacio Correas, IV Record: 8-3-0-1 Best Beyer: 90 Breeder: Sagamore Farm, LLC Tomlinson Distance Rating: 290 Auction: Homebred Dosage Profile: 10-2-10-0-0 (22) Dosage Index: 3.40 Center of Distribution: 1.00

PROFILE

By Mike Beer

STRENGTHS
A stretch-running son of 1995 Belmont Stakes winner Thunder Gulch, Monzon was impressive in winning each of his first two starts on dirt, including a last-to-first score in the Count Fleet in which he defeated the eventual Louisiana Derby winner, Pants On Fire, and Wood Memorial runner-up, Arthur’s Tale. Considering that the Count Fleet was run on Jan. 1, he earned a solid Beyer Speed Figure of 90, which suggests that Monzon has room to make the required leap forward to be competitive with the current top members of this division.

WEAKNESSES
Since his Count Fleet victory, Monzon has failed to class up in each of his two graded stakes tries, finishing fifth in the Sam F. Davis Stakes and most recently failing to factor in the local prep for the Belmont, the Peter Pan. He is clearly a horse with plenty to prove right now, and one has to question if the 12-furlong Belmont Stakes is a likely spot for him to move forward.

BETTING VALUE
Monzon’s Count Fleet win suggests that he has some ability, and while he has disappointed in two subsequent starts, it is worth noting that he had a tough, wide trip at Tampa Bay, and was sent to the Peter Pan off a three-month layoff. He figures to be one of the longer prices in the Belmont Stakes field, and may be a horse to consider using in any multi-horse wagers.

PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

By Dan Illman

Sire:
Thunder Gulch was a stout performer for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, winning the 1995 Belmont Stakes at 12 furlongs as well as the Kentucky Derby and Travers Stakes (110 Beyer top) at 1 1/4 miles. 

Versatile enough to win his maiden at six furlongs, Thunder Gulch has been a rock-solid stallion. His son, Point Given, won both the Preakness and Belmont in 2001, while Spain, a filly, took down the Breeders' Cup Distaff. 

Monzon is a product of the Thunder Gulch - Belong to Me breeding "nick" that produced Circular Quay, the winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at seven furlongs. Circular Quay also won the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at 1 1/8 miles. 

Dam:
The dam, Shadow of Mine, earned her sole career victory in a maiden special weight at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hollywood Park. 

Shadow of Mine is a half-sister to several stakes horses. Avie's Shadow won the Bassinet Stakes at six furlongs and finished second in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at 1 1/16 miles; Rahgold was multiple stakes-placed in Puerto Rico; Nastassja won the Belle Star Stakes at about 7 furlongs on turf; Zinfandoll finished third in the Grade 3 De La Rose Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf; Day Trade was multiple stakes-placed at 1 1/16 miles; and Keys to the Heart won the Grade 3 Hawthorne Handicap at 1 1/16 miles. 

The second dam was a stakes-placed sprinter, while the third dam was a Group 1 winner at 2 in France. 

Outlook:
His sire won the Belmont and has already sired a Belmont winner. Monzon's pedigree looks solid for the distance.