Invading Humor rides rail to Mount Vernon win

ELMONT, N.Y. - Invading Humor slipped up the rail under a perfectly judged ride by Rajiv Maragh to best defending champion Mah Jong Maddnes by two lengths in Monday’s $125,000 Mount Vernon Stakes, the first of six stakes races on Big Apple Showcase Day at Belmont Park.

Maragh must share the credit for Invading Humor’s victory with trainer Bruce Levine, who had the daughter of Invasor fit and ready to win in her first start since she faded to finish ninth in the Grade 3 Long Island Handicap on Nov. 8.

Invading Humor raced in mid-pack off the fleet early pace set by Laura Can Disco, who posted splits of 22.43 and 45.22 for the opening quarter and half-mile of the one-mile turf race for New York-bred fillies and mares. Laura Can Disco began to back up swiftly approaching the stretch, vacating the rail and leaving room for Maragh to drive Invading Humor through to launch her bid.

Mah Jong Maddnes. seeking her first victory since capturing the 2014 Mount Vernon, rallied three wide to join for command in early stretch, and dueled with the winner to midstretch. Old Harbor, the 5-2 favorite, raced within easy striking distance, gained a short advantage on the final bend, remained with the leaders until the last furlong, and gradually weakened.

Invading Humor completed the distance in 1:32.87 over a firm course and paid $9. Her victory came 10 days after her younger sister Distorted Beauty defeated open optional-claiming company here going six furlongs on the turf.

Levine, who trains Invading Humor for the Bloodlines Racing Partnerships, said he gave Invading Humor a rest over the winter and she had trained well coming into the Mount Vernon.

“I leaned into her because I knew we were going a mile," he said. "We had this planned for a while. I didn’t think she’d need one. And she got a great ride. [Laura Can Disco] did the dirty work. I thought I’d have to do that, but she helped me out. Everything just fell into place.”