Chublicious bounces back, wins N.J. Breeders' Handicap

Chublicious returned to the New Jersey-bred ranks Sunday at Monmouth Park and proved a dominant winner of the $60,000 New Jersey Breeders’ Handicap. He cruised by 3 1/2 lengths over Green Gratto, while it was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Play It Again in third.

The New Jersey Breeders’ Handicap was one of three stakes on New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival Day at Monmouth; the entire card was dedicated to horses bred in the state. Bustin Out ($3) became a stakes winner in the Eleven North Handicap and Jersey Blues ($9.40) accomplished the same feat in the Charles Hesse, III, Handicap.

Chublicious ($2.80) had faced Grade 1 rivals in the Vanderbilt at Saratoga in his start prior to the New Jersey Breeders’ and finished seventh to A. P. Indian, who on Saturday came back and won the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga.

Chublicious ran a big race back in his homestate. He stalked Visionary Ruler through fractions of 21.86 for the opening quarter and 44.22 for the half-mile before going on to cover six furlongs on a fast track in a blazing 1:08.76.

“I know this horse well and rode him like he was the best in the race,” winning rider Antonio Gallardo said. “I knew the speed would be out there for us and I just waited until I pushed the button and he took off.”

Chublicious won his third stakes race of the meet at Monmouth.

“He's such a solid horse,” trainer Jorge Navarro said. “He doesn’t like to ship. We know that. His last one at Saratoga was a disaster. He’s the type of horse that needs to walk over and run his race.”

Navarro said next-race plans are to be determined. Chublicious is a 5-year-old gelding by Hey Chub and he races for David Gruskos. He was bred by Joe-Dan Farm.

In the Eleven North, Bustin Out broke on top and never looked back for a three-length win over Let’s Parlay. Bustin Out took the field of five fillies and mares through an opening quarter in 21.99 seconds and a half-mile in 44.18 before going on to cover the six furlongs in 1:09.20.

Jose Ferrer rode the winner for trainer Chuck Spina. Bustin Out is a 4-year-old by Bustin Stones and she races for Joseph and Gayle Ioia. She was bred by Dianne Boyken.

In the Hesse, Jersey Blues tracked pacesetter We B Jammin into the stretch, pushed past that one, and went on for a 2 1/4-length win over Fuzzy Muzzle. The winner covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:43.57.

Paco Lopez rode Jersey Blues for Holly Crest Farm and trainer John Mazza. Jersey Blues is a 5-year-old gelding by Eddington and he was bred by Holly Crest Farm.
:: Enjoy news and analysis from DRF? Get handicapping analysis, real-time coverage, special reports, and charts. Unlock access with DRF Plus.