Drop Dead Red takes Politely Stakes as Lopez gets four victories

Jockey Paco Lopez won four races Saturday at Monmouth Park, including the $60,000 Politely with Drop Dead Red. Party Boat finished a half-length back in second in the feature, while it was another 2 1/4 lengths back to Trace of Grace in third.

The Politely, a one-mile race for fillies and mares, was originally scheduled for turf but was run on a sloppy, sealed main track. There were six scratches from the race.

Drop Dead Red ($17.20) stalked Tanya’s Gem through an opening quarter in 23.43 seconds and 46.33 for the half-mile. Drop Dead Red advanced, moved to the fore in the stretch, and held off the closing Party Boat. The winner covered the distance in 1:39.

“I knew she was training well,” winning trainer Kelly Breen told the media department at Monmouth. “Down the backstretch, I thought we were in a good spot. The wire came up just in time.”

Cavallino Racing owns Drop Dead Red, claiming the mare for $25,000 last month out of a race at Keeneland.

Drop Dead Red earned $36,000 for the win to improve her record to 3 for 5 for earnings of $138,835. She is a daughter of Hold Me Back.

Lopez also won the fifth, sixth and 11th races Saturday.