Goldwood notches first stakes win in Politely

With an inside post and a seeming lack of early pace, trainer Jorge Duarte Jr. felt the plan of attack for Goldwood in Saturday’s Politely Stakes at Monmouth Park would be to go the front right out of the gate.

Jose Ferrer concurred and used his filly’s speed to get into the race early. After putting away a pace challenge from Miss Deplorable turning for home, Goldwood went on to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $78,000 Politely Stakes. Mrs. Ramona G. who had a little trouble out of the gate, closed well to be second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Mominou.

It was the fifth win from 14 starts for Goldwood, a 5-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro owned by Rick Santulli’s Colts Neck Stables but first in a stakes race. She covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.27 and returned $5.60 as the 9-5 favorite.

“She ran well,” Duarte said. “There was not much speed in the race and at Monmouth I always think you have to be close up in these grass sprints. Plus, we had Jose Ferrer and he fits the track. Everything made sense for her to be close up early, especially since we had the rail.”

The victory was one of three on the card for Ferrer, who was riding Goldwood for the first time.

“I wanted to be on the front and let them come get me,” Ferrer said. “I didn’t think they would be able to and we saw they couldn’t. She is too good.”

Following Mominou in the order of finish were Miss Deplorable, Valuable Package, Wildcat Combat, Tanya’s Gem, and Celesse. Factorofwon, Wild About Star, and Bronx Star were scratched. Wild About Star won Saturday’s The Very One Stakes at Pimlico.