Key Biscayne up in time to win off-the-turf Monroe Stakes

The complexion of the $75,000 Monroe was substantially altered well before the Saturday feature was run at Gulfstream Park in South Florida. Early that morning, track management moved all turf racing to the main track because of rainy weather.

As a result, an original lineup of 14 fillies and mares was shrunk in half, with the 7-5 morning-line choice, Shifty She, among the scratches. In the end, a deep-stretch surge by Key Biscayne gave jockey Chantal Sutherland her fourth victory of the day as the 4-year-old filly nailed Starship Nterprise on the wire.

Trained by Juan Alvarado for owner-breeder Arindel, Key Biscayne paid $14.40 as third choice after finishing a one-turn mile in 1:36.53 over a surface rated fast. The Florida-bred daughter of Brethren was winning a stakes for the first time in 14 starts.

Global Brand made a threatening move approaching the quarter pole before flattening out to finish third, while Thissmytime, the odds-on favorite, set the pace to the quarter pole before beating a steady fade to finish fourth.

:: Join DRF Bets and play the races with a $250 First Deposit Bonus. Click to learn more.

The $2 exacta (10-7) paid $182.40, the $1 trifecta (10-7-11) returned $480.40, and the 10-cent superfecta (10-7-11-4) was worth $258.22.

A three-day weekend ends Sunday with a 10-race program. More rain is in the local forecast, meaning turf racing once again could be scuttled.