Buffalo Man beats Icy Atlantic

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Buffalo Man rallied to beat defending champion Icy Atlantic by three-quarters of length Saturday in the Grade 3, $150,000 Red Bank Stakes on the turf at Monmouth Park.

It was the third win in eight starts this season for the 4-year-old colt and second Grade 3 win of season to go with the Appleton Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

"I think he'll be more consistent running this way," said trainer Cam Gambolati. "I think we learned a lot today. He's been up close in his recent races and he doesn't necessarily have to be. A good, kind-rating horse like him, I think he'll improve. I think he can go to the next level."

Giant Wrecker was third, followed by John's Pic, Wheels Up at Noon, Hotstufanthensome, and Fagedaboudit Sal.

Buffalo Man ($12) ran the mile on the firm course in 1:33.05.

Earlier on the card, Julia Tuttle scored a front-running victory in the $65,000 Twin Lights Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the grass.

Just as in the Grade 3 Virginia Oaks, Julia Tuttle opened a huge lead down the backstretch. She faded to third that afternoon after leading by as much as 15 lengths.

In the Twin Lights, the lead wasn't as big, peaking at 4 1/2 lengths with Horacio Karamanos aboard. This time, she held on.

Julia Tuttle ($7.60) hit the finish wire with a one-length lead over One Man to Beat with Sales Tax third.

"She settled down much better today," said trainer A. Ferris Allen III. "Her last race could have been the first time I had a horse in front by 10 lengths turning for home and still lost.

"She's graded stakes placed and we wanted to get her a stakes win. This looked like the right spot."

The time was 1:46.32 for the 1 1/8 miles on the firm course.