Monmouth: Max's Pal cruises

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Max's Pal scored a three-length win over I'm Sentimental in the $75,000 Longfellow Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Under Rick Wilson, Max's Pal ($3.20), a 4-year-old son of Mar-quetry, powered to the front after stalking the fractions set by I'm Sentimental and eventual third-place finisher Personal First. He was timed in 1:09 for six furlongs.

"Max is as tough as any horse I've ever had," said Ben Perkins Jr., the winning trainer. "We started him here because he's doing so well, he trains at Monmouth and [owner Raymond Dweck] is from New Jersey."

Max's Pal has now won two races in a row, taking the Moseley Breeders' Cup Handicap at Suffolk Downs in his previous start. His last loss came in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap behind Peeping Tom at Aqueduct. He has won three times in four starts at Monmouth, including a win in the Rumson Stakes last September.

"I'd like to run him only in graded races from now on so he can get enough points to run in the Breeders' Cup Sprint," said Perkins. "He's a true three-quarters horse and he fits in that race."

Both Wilson and Perkins scored training and riding doubles on the program.

Wilson won the ninth race with Magical Madness in a $41,000 mile allowance. Perkins sent out first-timer Blinded By Love to an impressive victory in the opening race.