He's Got Grit tops in Tyro on front end
OCEANPORT, N.J. - He's Got Grit got the early jump and was never headed in the $60,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds Saturday at Monmouth Park.
The 5 1/2-furlong Tyro is the traditional prep for Monmouth's Grade 3, $150,000 Sapling Stakes on Aug. 20.
He's Got Grit ($4.20) is unbeaten in two starts. He won his debut at Churchill Downs for a claiming price.
Now he's made the transition to stakes winner.
The race was decided right at the break. He's Got Grit, with Aaron Gryder aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen, rocketed away from the gate from post 9. They quickly opened up a clear lead and never let up.
"There was no sitting second today," Gryder said. "He broke alertly and got into the race very quick."
He's Got Grit made moot the prerace strategy.
"It wasn't necessary that we made the lead," Gryder said. "I talked to Toby [Sheets, assistant trainer for Asmussen], who said if we wanted to stalk, that would be fine. He's a very professional horse that does things pretty effortlessly."
That professionalism was evident before the race as He's Got Grit waited patiently as the last horse to load after several of the other runners balked.
Confront was among those who acted up behind the gate. He was loaded with Elvis Trujillo off the saddle.
Once the gates opened, he gamely took up the chase behind the He's Got Grit. Confront was always in striking position and ran well through the lane.
Confront narrowed the margin to three-quarters of a length at the finish. Creve Coeur rallied for third. The time was 1:03.97
One race later, Whenthedoveflies soared through the lane to win the $55,000 Klassy Briefcase for fillies and mares going five furlongs on the firm turf. The time was 55.89 seconds.
Whenthedoveflies ($4.20), a highly consistent 5-year-old mare, ran one of her rare poor efforts last time out in the Calder Turf Sprint Handicap on a yielding course.
Back on firm ground, she responded with a strong rally to prevail in the scramble to the wire. Whenthedoveflies beat Melody of Colors by a neck with Letthefreedomroar third.
Kiss Me Katie delayed the start when she dumped Tommy Turner behind the gate.