Isabella Sings, Stormy Regatta win Little Silver divisions

When the gates opened for the second division of the Little Silver Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Abel Castellano Jr. took a light hold of Isabella Sings and went to the front. The riders of the second-, third-, and fourth-place runners didn't seem to want anything to do with the lead.

Castellano took what was given to him and smoothly rated Isabella Sings on the front end in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. When even-money favorite Pine Needles, who rallied from fifth, came calling in the stretch, Isabella Sings had plenty left and held on for a three-quarter-length win.

Kitten’s Roar, who was hard held while racing in third early, ended up in that same position at the finish as the second choice in the race at 8-5. She finished three-quarters of a length behind Pine Needles.

Catcha Rising Star, who tracked the winner early under a snug hold, finished fourth, 2 3/4 behind Kitten’s Roar.

My Year Is a Day, who had been rank in her U.S. debut in May, behaved a little better but was still keen early. After saving ground in fourth, she finished fifth.

Isabella Sings paid $21.40 in the six-horse field of 3-year-old fillies, rebounding nicely from a subpar effort in a second-level turf sprint at Belmont Park in which she set the pace to the stretch and then came up empty.

Isabella Sings was timed in 1:40.79, almost a second faster than the first division two races earlier on the card.

Isabella Sings, trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by her breeder, Siena Farm, set fractions of 24.35 seconds, 48.07, 1:11.13, and 1:34.76. She has won three of eight starts. The Little Silver was her first stakes win.

Stormy Regatta noses out Rachel Wall

Stormy Regatta was the even-money favorite in the first division of the Little Silver Stakes, and Rachel Wall was the longest price in the seven-horse field at 23-1. But you wouldn’t have known it when they hooked up in midstretch of the 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies.

The pacesetting Rachel Wall dug in when challenged and refused to quit. At the wire, Stormy Regatta proved a nose best after a hard-fought battle.

Stormy Regatta, ridden by Joe Bravo, was content to sit in sixth place early as Rachel Wall set fractions of 24.25, 48.28, and 1:11.72 while being pressed from the outside by 4-1 Tap It Out.

Stormy Regatta commenced her bid four wide on the far turn and reached even terms with Rachel Wall leaving the furlong pole. She had just what was needed to win.

Stormy Regatta paid $4 and was timed in 1:41.68. The mile went in 1:35.59.

Rachel Wall finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of third-place Kawfee Fa Marfa. Kawfee Fa Marfa was checked sharply by Paco Lopez when trying to come up toward the inside of Rachel Wall entering the stretch, however, and Lopez lodged a claim of foul against Rachel Wall and jockey Castellano. The stewards reviewed the situation but made no change.

Kawfee Fa Marfa did well to recover from the incident and re-rally for third. Tap It Out finished fourth, a half-length behind Kawfee Fa Marfa. Gypsy Judy raced in traffic between horses for much of the race and finished fifth, a neck behind Tap It Out.

Stormy Regatta is 3 for 5 in her career for trainer Christophe Clement and owner Cheyenne Stables.