Grand Ave Girl has no problem with Monroe Stakes
Heavily favored Grand Ave Girl had an easy time winning the $75,000 Monroe at Gulfstream Park on Sunday.
She paid $3.20 for her 4 1/2-length front-running romp over Ballymore Star in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares.
With Emisael Jaramillo riding, Grand Ave Girl assumed command soon after the start and, after posting a moderate half-mile time of 50.27 seconds while under no pressure, she opened up a clear lead turning for home before drawing off to win decisively. It was a blanket finish for second with Ballymore Star, who chased the winner the whole way, edging Starship Nterprise by a nose for the runner-up spot. It was another neck back to Key Biscayne, who rallied late to get up for fourth.
Running over turf rated firm, Grand Ave Girl posted a final time of 1:43.20.
The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Run Happy is trained by David Fawkes and races for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds.
It was the first stakes win and fourth victory overall for Grand Ave Girl. The $45,105 winner's share of the purse brought her earnings to $181,080.
Earlier on the card Running Memories ran down heavily favored Miss Auramet to win the $60,000 Golden Beach Handicap. She paid $11.00 as the second choice in the five-furlong dash for fillies and mares. She was ridden by Edgar Perez.
After chasing Miss Auramet right from the start, Running Memories took over the lead at the eighth pole and drew off to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Miss Auramet held on well to finish second over Palomita, who stalked the top pair from start to finish.
The final time was 55:97 seconds.
A 4-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Bahamian Squall, Running Memories is trained by Joseph Orseno. She is owned by Donald R. Dizney.
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