Flank Attack gets turf

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Trainer Bob Durso has been waiting for a chance to run Flank Attack on the Monmouth turf.

That moment could arrive Saturday in the $50,000 Lamplighter Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds. The Lamplighter is the supporting feature on United Nations Handicap card.

"He really needs the grass," Durso said. "On the dirt, he tends to make the lead too soon. He hangs a little and waits for horses. On the grass, the jockey can sit longer and let him make the big run."

Eddie King will have the task of getting Flank Attack to uncork that rally.

Completing the field are Risk Reward, Dream Deliverer, Millennium Storm, Newfoundland, Jay Black, Deadline, Purely Classic, Ali's Pride, and Stroll.

Clearly a Queen at a crossroads

Clearly a Queen suffered a setback in her comeback, throwing her racing future into doubt.

One of the leading turf mares during Monmouth's 2002 season, Clearly a Queen suffered a fractured sesamoid that was surgically repaired last summer. The 6-year-old mare was slated for a comeback in the Politely Stakes on June 29 but scratched after favoring the same injured leg in a gallop the morning before the race.

"We'd gone all this time, and she'd been great," said trainer Terri Pompay. "We didn't want to take any chances since she always gives 150 percent. We didn't want her to get hurt."

Veterinary advisers for owner John Franks are evaluating X-rays with retirement one of the options.

"We have to regroup and reevaluate and decide if we're going to continue onward," Pompay said.

Clearly a Queen won three of four races, including a pair of Grade 3, $100,000 stakes - the Matchmaker and Eatontown handicaps - over the Monmouth course last summer.

* Saturday is Jockeys Across America Day. The Monmouth jockey colony will turn the celebration into a full weekend of fund-raising to support the Don MacBeth Memorial Fund for disabled riders. The jockeys will be selling hats and memorabilia in addition to signing autographs.

* Show bettors took advantage of the wager on a four-horse field in Thursday's fifth race. Of the $106,549 bet to show on the race, $102,099 went to Umpateedle, who won easily at 2-5 for leading owner Michael Gill.

The bridge-jumpers earned a nickel on each dollar wagered and created a minus pool of $22,470.50.