Isabella Sings brings newfound versatility to Eatontown Stakes
Isabella Sings. But more importantly, she proved in her last start that Isabella rates.
In the Miss Liberty Stakes at Monmouth Park, Isabella Sings won by passing horses in the lane for the first time in her career, and that versatility makes her a tough favorite indeed in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth.
The Eatontown, for fillies and mares, will be run at 1 1/16 miles and is scheduled for the turf.
Formerly a confirmed front-runner, Isabella Sings displayed patience and a rating gear when she took back nicely off a quick early pace in the Miss Liberty on May 29. She benefited from not only the race flow but a perfect inside trip under Paco Lopez, Monmouth Park’s leading rider with 36 victories. But the important aspect is that she proved she doesn’t need the lead to win.
In her two races prior to the Miss Liberty, Isabella Sings faced the spectacular Tepin. She nearly stole a victory over her in the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs, falling a length short, then tired to seventh in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill.
Lopez, who also rode Isabella Sings in her win in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere at Churchill Downs to close out last year, will again be aboard in the Eatontown. Todd Pletcher trains Isabella Sings, who is the co-highweight in the field along with My Cara Mia at 118 pounds.
Isabella Sings drew post 2 in the field of eight, and the other main speed, Invading Humor, is on the outside. Invading Humor also rated well in her latest, the Mt. Vernon for New York-breds at Belmont Park. She sat off quick fractions, made the lead in midstretch, but yielded late and finished second.
Invading Humor could find herself on the front end in the Eatontown, and she is comfortable with the role of pacesetter, having won the Ticonderoga for New York-breds at Belmont in front-running fashion in October. Kendrick Carmouche will ride Invading Humor for the first time. She is trained by Bruce Levine.
The Eatontown, named for a town next to Oceanport, N.J., where Monmouth Park is located, is the 10th of 11 races on the Saturday card. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.
Key Contenders
Isabella Sings, by Eskendereya
Last 3 Beyers: 94-79-105
◗ She’s won two of three starts over the Monmouth Park turf course, with her only loss a narrow defeat in the Grade 3 Boiling Springs here last September.
Invading Humor, by Invasor
Last 3 Beyers: 87-76-89
◗ A winner of 7 of 17 career starts on turf, Invading Humor picks up Kendrick Carmouche, who combined with Levine to win the Grade 3 General George this year with Misconnect, their only other pairing in graded stakes.
Bureau de Change, by Exchange Rate
Last 3 Beyers: 83-95-90
◗ Off the board in her last three starts, all graded stakes races, Bureau de Change has the best recent Beyer Speed Figures in the field outside of the favorite.
◗ A confirmed closer, she’d be the main beneficiary if a quick early pace develops.