Angela Renee fresh for Lady's Secret Stakes
There isn’t much separating the top contenders in the $100,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park on Monday. The 4-year-old fillies Angela Renee and Eskenformoney have each been a little spotty in their careers but appear to be coming into this race at one mile and 70 yards sitting on big efforts.
The field also includes High Ridge Road, who has been impressive in winning an allowance and an optional claimer at Laurel Park in her last two starts for trainer Linda Rice. Also of note is the return of the New Jersey-bred mare Stiffed, who is 4 for 9 at Monmouth for trainer John Mazza and will be making her first start since January.
When confused by a race at Monmouth, there are worse ways to go than giving red-hot leading rider Paco Lopez the benefit of the doubt. He will be aboard Angela Renee, who was sold and turned over to trainer Chad Brown following her 3-year-old campaign. Angela Renee won her debut for her new connections in a second-level optional-claiming race at Aqueduct in March.
She set the pace in her next start, the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Downs, but was inhaled by runaway winner Curalina and finished fourth. Angela Renee was beaten only 1 3/4 lengths for second in that race.
Angela Renee, the winner of the Grade 1 Chandelier at Santa Anita at 2, comes into this race off an eight-week break and a strong pattern of seven works – five at Saratoga and the last two at Monmouth.
Eskenformoney, trained by Todd Pletcher, was only 1 for 7 last year but finished second and third in Grade 2 company and was second in a Grade 3. She acted up in the gate and broke slowly in her season debut at Keeneland, finishing eighth as the 6-5 favorite, but rebounded to win a second-level optional claimer at Belmont in late May.
Lady’s Secret, Race 8
Key contenders
Angela Renee, by Bernardini
Last 3 Beyers: 86-88-71
◗ Genre is the likely pacesetter in this field, which has a number of runners with a stalking style. Angela Renee is well drawn outside and could find herself sitting just off Genre or, if that one doesn’t go, on the lead.
Eskenformoney, by Eskendereya
Last 3 Beyers: 87-64-86
◗ Concluded last year by making six consecutive starts in graded stakes company. She was freshened over the winter, and with two races this season, she seems ready to show her best.
High Ridge Road, by Quality Road
Last 3 Beyers: 91-81-79
◗ She has two blowout wins in Maryland since being turned over to Rice. They both came at a one-turn mile, however, and she will have to prove she can duplicate those efforts around two bends.
Stiffed, by Stephen Got Even
Last 3 Beyers: 83-81-82
◗ Ran some very good races at this meet a year ago but will be returning from a five-month layoff. A confirmed late runner, there may not be enough pace to set her up.