Berned pulls away to Serena's Song triumph

The nine starters in the $63,300 Serena's Song at Monmouth Park on Saturday appeared evenly matched, but Berned blew the race open with an explosive move on the far turn and took command in upper stretch.

Berned pulled away throughout the stretch to score by 1 3/4 lengths under Joe Bravo, who won his third race of the day.

Berned has run several powerful races during her career, including her Safely Kept score at Laurel Park last November, and she was clearly on her game Saturday. The 4-year-old daughter of Bernardini is now 4 for 13.

Viva Vegas set the pace over a sloppy track in the Serena's Song, a mile and 70-yard race for fillies and mares.

Bravo didn’t rush Berned early, but once she started to advance nearing the far turn there was no stopping her. She split horses approaching the stretch, overtook A Place to Shine, who took a brief lead turning for home, and finished under a hand ride from Bravo.

Berned was timed in 1:42.14.

"I had a good trip, but credit to this filly," Bravo said. "This race makes you expect a really good summer out of her. I really have to thank the filly for this win. She was just push-button."

Berned is trained by Graham Motion and owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert Masiello, and Chris Larsen.

She paid $7.60 as the second choice to third-place Teresa Z, the 9-5 favorite, who raced outside the winner early and then was fanned about sixth paths wide into the stretch. Teresa Z, who was four wide into the first turn, finished 3 1/2 lengths behind runner-up A Place to Shine.

Berned earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure for her effort.

Indian Paint, who was reluctant to load into the gate, finished fourth.