Maren's Meadow holds on

Maren's Meadow, back at Monmouth Park for the first time since taking the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks last August, held off All Night Labor by a head to win the $70,000 Monmouth Beach Stakes.

Given 2 1/2 months to recuperate after finishing last in the Grade 3 Azeri at Oaklawn, the 4-year-old Maren's Meadow ($7.40) was sent to the front by jockey Justin Shepherd, opened up a length on All Night Labor and they raced one-two throughout the mile and 70-yard race for fillies and mares. All Night Labor nearly drew even in deep stretch, but lost a head-bob at the wire.

It was another length back to You Asked in third.

Trained by Larry Jones, Maren's Meadow completed the distance on a fast track in 1:40.53.

Awesome Ashley, the 8-5 favorite, was shuffled back to last going around the first turn, made a wide move to get into contention turning into the stretch, and flattened out to finish fifth.

& Lightly raced Sleepless Knight ($11.40) came from off the pace to win the $65,000 Lamplighter Stakes for 3-year-olds on the turf.

Ridden by Joe Bravo for trainer Kelly Breen, Sleepless Knight stepped directly into stakes company after winning his maiden in his second start six weeks ago at Gulfstream Park. Sixth after a half-mile, Sleepless Knight made a three-wide move to challenge turning into the stretch, gained the lead with a furlong remaining, and drew clear, completing 1 1/16 miles on a firm course in 1:41.39.

Tamborin, prominent early chasing the 36-1 longshot Chi Indy Express, held on for second by a nose over Sal the Barber, with Beacon Hill Road another head back in fourth.

Masala, coming out of a pair of graded stakes, finished sixth as the 2-1 favorite.