Monmouth: Contested pace in Blue Sparkler would set up Appealing Stella

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Silverette, a comfortable and confident winner of the Red Cross Stakes on Memorial Day, returns to Monmouth Park on Saturday for the $60,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes for filly and mare sprinters.

Silverette landed the rail against five rivals going six furlongs. Paco Lopez has the return call.

Although the final margin was only one length in the Red Cross, Silverette was never in jeopardy. She had an ideal trip, closely glued to the outside flank of the pacesetting Little Stitch. Silverette took charge around the turn and safely held off the closers for her first stakes win.
It probably won’t play that way again. From the rail, Silverette figures to go to the front with the speedy My Place Anytime, breaking from post 4, likely pressing the issue to her outside.

At least that’s the way trainer Jane Cibelli envisions the early pace scenario.

Cibelli sends out Appealing Stella, a 5-year-old mare who made a nice transition to stakes this past winter at Tampa Bay Downs, capturing the Minaret before running third in the Manatee.

Cibelli then gave Appealing Stella some time off, looking to have a fresh horse races up north.

“There was nothing wrong,” Cibelli said. “She had run a lot and I felt she was a little tired and I didn’t want to bring a tired horse up to Monmouth.”
Appealing Stella returned in late May and ran into Winning Image in the My Juliet Stakes at Parx Racing.

Winning Image scared off most of the competition in that race, leaving only two rivals, and as the 1-5 favorite cruised to a repeat win in the stakes, recording a 2 1/4-length score over Appealing Stella.

“We hooked that Winning Image and she’s a monster,” Cibelli said. “There was no speed to go with her, so we had no chance of beating her. I’m hoping here the speed will hook up with Silverette and My Place Anytime, and we’ll sit right behind them.”

Appealing Stella has post 5, with Angel Serpa set to ride.

“She’s honest and she always gives you everything she’s got,” Cibelli said.

Irish Exchange takes the biggest class drop, following a sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park.

Prior to that, Irish Exchange won the Langhorne Stakes at Parx and was second by a half-length in the Primonetta Stakes at Pimlico.

Geeky Gorgeous and Promise Me a Cat complete the field.