It's a Monster takes stakes

It's a Monster is headed to bigger and better things after surviving a duel and pulling away to a two-length victory in Monday's $57,700 Oh Say Stakes at Delaware Park.

A 3-year-old colt trained by Ben Perkins Jr., It's a Monster ($4.60) will be pointed to the Grade 3, $100,000 Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup Stakes on July 4 at Monmouth Park after winning for the fourth time in six lifetime starts.

Boston Common, the 7-5 second choice in the five-horse field of 3-year-olds, raced head to head with It's a Monster from the half-mile pole until an eighth-mile remained in the six-furlong Oh Say through fractions of 45.22 and 57.45 seconds. But in the final furlong, It's a Monster and jockey Eibar Coa drew clear to complete six furlongs in 1:09.80.

Kentucky Maid rallied belatedly to overtake Boston Common for second. Both horses are trained by Michael Pino, but they raced uncoupled.