Breaking Bread elevated to first in Serena's Song Stakes

Breaking Bread became a stakes winner on Saturday at Monmouth Park when she was promoted to victory upon the disqualification of Goodonehoney in the $75,000 Serena's Song Stakes.

The Serena's Song was reduced to a field of four following the early scratches of Imply and Le Weekend, but there was trouble on the clubhouse turn in the race at one mile and 70 yards.

Goodonehoney took the lead racing about two paths off the rail under Nik Juarez through a quarter-mile in 23.50 seconds while pressed by Malibu Surprise to her outside. The favored Forever Liesl, who had been four wide early while racing in third, was guided back inside by jockey Antonio Gallardo and tried to squeeze through on the rail entering the backstretch. The favorite was forced to check when Goodonehoney came over at the 5 1/2-furlong marker, dropping back to fourth.

Goodonehoney and Malibu Surprise dueled on through a half-mile in 47.27, with Breaking Bread, under Angel Suarez, racing outside of them. Malibu Surprise began to wilt turning for home, and although Breaking Bread could not catch Goodonehoney, who drew clear to cross the wire four lengths in front, she did hold off a mild rally from Forever Liesl to get second. The final time was 1:44.24.

A stewards' inquiry into the incident on the clubhouse turn was announced almost immediately, and Gallardo also lodged an objection against Juarez. After a review, the stewards disqualified Goodonehoney from first and placed her third, elevating Breaking Bread to victory and Forever Liesl to second.

“As soon as we came off the first turn I saw something was going on [with Goodonehoney and Forever Liesl]," Suarez told track publicity. "So I was riding for second because I thought there was a chance for a disqualification. I just kept riding as hard as I could to get second place and hopefully get lucky. It’s not the way you want to win, but I will take it.”

A 6-year-old daughter of Quality Road, Breaking Bread is campaigned by Imaginary Stables and Glenn Ellis and trained by Jorge Navarro. She returned $5.80 to win.