'Bella' quickest and best in Tyro

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Bella Shambrock romped to an eight-length win Saturday in the $60,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds at Monmouth Park.

The winner of the Prairie Gold Juvenile at Prairie Meadows on July 4, Bella Shambrock earned his second stakes win and his third win overall before 9,292 on a steamy afternoon.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Bella Shambrock ($3) flew out of the gate. He opened a three-length lead in a flash, forcing his four rivals to hustle to keep pace.

"He breaks from the gate so fast," said jockey Chris DeCarlo. "In 2-year-old races going short distances, that's a huge edge. I secured position without really asking and the horses behind me had to chase early."

Actin Good, who chased the winner from the rail, held off Fandabidoo for second by a length. Heart Throbbin' was fourth followed by Baby Buzz.

The time was 1:04.44 for the 5 1/2 furlongs on the fast track.

The Tyro, the first 2-year-old stakes of the meet, serves as a prep for the Grade 3 $150,000 Sapling Stakes on Sept. 4.

Also on the card, He's Got Grit, winner of last year's Tyro and Sapling, won his third Monmouth stakes with a five-length victory in the $60,000 Rumson Stakes for 3-year-olds.

He's Got Grit ($5.60) shot right to front and then shook off mild pressure from Valid Brush. He's Got Grit cut the corner smartly, changed leads and opened an insurmountable four-length lead.

"He broke sharply and that made my job much easier," said jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. "All I had to do was steer him around there. When I asked him in the stretch, he took off."

Town Council won the scramble for second, beating out Podgy by a head.

The time was 1:09.34 for the six furlongs.

He's Got Grit was making his fourth Monmouth start. He suffered his lone loss here last time out when he ran third to Henny Hughes, who romped by 10 lengths in the Grade 3 Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes on July 1.