Join the Dance ($27.60) makes it look easy in Monroe Stakes

Join the Dance paid $27.60 for her convincing front-running win over Paris Peacock in the $75,000 Monroe Stakes for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park on Sunday.

Breaking alertly under Emisael Jaramillo, Join the Dance posted interior fractions of 23.86 and 48.11 while under moderate pressure from Gather as You Go in the 1 1/16-mile race contested over turf rated good. She opened up a clear lead turning for home and easily held off Paris Peacock by 1 1/4 lengths.

Paris Peacock bided her time before making a strong move while going four-wide around the stretch turn. She finished a length in front of the 3-2 favorite By All Means, who was last early, made her presence known while making a strong move along the rail inside on the stretch turn, was full of run in the upper stretch but was blocked and finished with determination once clear.

The final time was 1:41.33.

A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Shackleford, Join the Dance is trained by Mark Casse and races for Gary Barber.

The $44,100 she received brought her career earnings to $170,544.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.