Convivial steps up to stakes company in Lamplighter

OCEANPORT, N.J. – The $60,000 Lamplighter Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday will pit stakes experience against raw talent when Mo Maverick and Dover Cliffs take on the recent maiden winner Convivial.

Mo Maverick and Dover Cliffs have been trying to find their way in tough stakes and will get some class relief in this 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds. Convivial will face a more difficult challenge than he did in winning his career debut over the Monmouth grass on July 1.

Mo Maverick, trained by George Weaver, has been holding his own against some talented rivals and is the horse to beat. In May, he set a strong pace over good ground in the James W. Murphy Stakes on the Preakness card at Pimlico. He yielded to four-length winner Yoshida in the stretch and then was beaten a head for second by Chubby Star.

Yoshida has since finished fifth as the 3-1 favorite in the $1.2 million Belmont Derby. Chubby Star has been fourth in a pair of Grade 3 races, the Lake George at Saratoga and the Regret at Churchill Downs.

In his most recent start, Mo Maverick finished fourth to Frostmourne in the Grade 2 Penn Mile. He stalked the pace that evening, challenged for the lead three wide entering the stretch, then was outfinished and beaten 3 3/4 lengths.

Eddie Castro, who is fourth in the Monmouth standings, picks up the mount.

Dover Cliffs was hip-checked by Yoshida in upper stretch of the Murphy and finished ninth. He raced evenly when sixth of seven in the Manila at Belmont Park last out.

Trainer Christophe Clement has given the mount to Monmouth’s leading rider, Nik Juarez.

Convivial was bred and is owned by the Colts Neck Stables of Richard Santulli and trained by Alan Goldberg. Convivial, a son of English Channel, is out of the mare Social Queen, a four-time stakes winner and an earner of $344,000.

Convivial is a half-brother to Force the Pass, who won the Belmont Derby and $500,000 Penn Mile for Santulli and Goldberg in 2015.

Convivial dropped back to last in his debut, then launched an extended rally to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths. The 78 Beyer Speed Figure he earned is close to the recent numbers of Mo Maverick and Dover Cliffs.

KEY CONTENDERS

Mo Maverick, Uncle Mo
Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-81

◗ He has good tactical speed and could end up stalking pacesetter Hot and Heavy.

Convivial, by English Channel
Beyer: 78

◗ Convivial seemed to take himself back to last early in his debut. It will be interesting to see if he gets more involved early in the Lamplighter.

Dover Cliffs, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 80-71-87

◗ He also must be careful not to leave himself with too much work to do late. He showed more speed earlier in his career than he has in his last two races.