Indian Splendor changes tactics to win Honey Bee

Throughout her 23-race career, the 6-year-old mare Indian Splendor has been a front-runner. But trainer Jason Servis asked Antonio Gallardo to try something different when he rode Indian Splendor for the first time in Saturday’s $60,000 Honey Bee Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Following instructions, Gallardo kept Indian Splendor off the pace in the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint. His mount kicked in when Gallardo asked her to move and she outfinished Forest Funds by a nose to win the first stakes of her career. Everything Lovely finished third at 13-1, a half-length behind the top pair.

Joya Real, the 4-5 favorite, never seriously threatened and finished fifth of six.

The winning time was 1:02.35.

“The plan was to sit off the pace today,” Gallardo said. “We thought 5 1/2 furlongs was a little long for her to try to be in front and Jason said if you can get her to settle in behind to try to do that. She was a little hard to settle the first half-furlong, but once she ended up behind horses she settled really nicely. I came outside horses in the stretch and once she got clear she came running.”

Indian Splendor ($11.20), a daughter of Indian Ocean owned by Castaway Stable, is now 4 for 5 with one second on Monmouth’s turf course. Overall, she is 6 for 24 with earnings of $287,342.