Hemp Hemp Hurray romps in Tyro Stakes

Hemp Hemp Hurray stalked the pacesetting Phonemyposseagain before drawing off in the lane to an emphatic 7 1/4-length score in Sunday's featured race at Monmouth, the $60,000 Tyro Stakes.

It was the second win in as many starts for Hemp Hemp Hurray ($4.60), who scored in his career debut at Belmont.

A son of Artie Schiller, Hemp Hemp Hurray was the second choice in the wagering, with the Todd Pletcher-trained Earth sent off as the 3-5 betting choice. In the early stages, the two favorites sat just off Phonemyposseagain, who broke sharpest of the four runners in the Tyro, with Earth on the outside of Hemp Hemp Hurray, who was along the rail. As the field moved into the turn, it was Hemp Hemp Hurray who made first run on the leader, however, with jockey Albin Jimenez coming off the inside to challenge Phonemyposseagain, under Jose Ferrer, and the eventual winner powered through the stretch, opening up a commanding lead at the eighth pole and winning easily.

"I thought I was going to be in front but [Jose] Ferrer’s horse [Phonemyposseagain] had so much speed I had to sit back," said Jimenez. "Around the turn, I had so much horse I just moved out and he did the rest."

Hemp Hemp Hurray, owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey and trained by Wesley Ward, covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.91 over a turf course listed as good.

Phonemyposseagain held the place, 1 3/4 lengths in front of Earth, who finished third. Coop Tries Harder trailed the field throughout and was last of the four. Zodacious, Nuclear Option and Nickie's Papa were all scratched.