Monmouth: Minesave needs fast track to do her best in Serena's Song

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trainer Bret Calhoun hopes Minesave secures more comfortable footing Sunday than she did last time when she runs in the $75,000 Serena’s Song Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

The prep for the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks on Aug. 11 attracted seven for the one-mile and 70-yard race.

This will be Minesave’s third straight start at Monmouth Park.

She loved it here in her debut over the track in May, rallying for a first-level allowance win. Minesave pleasantly surprised Calhoun by smoothly making the transition from the turf at Fair Grounds and the main track at Churchill Downs.

Last time out was a much different story. Moving up to a second-level allowance, Minesave struggled, beaten 13 lengths on a day when a rainstorm moved through the area and the track was sealed midway through the card.

“The last time was kind of a throw out,” Calhoun said. “It was a strange deal. They sealed the track late. It just looked like she never got untracked that day. She’s coming into the race good. I hope she gets a track more to her liking.”

Joe Bravo, who won three stakes here last weekend, including the Grade 1 United Nations, picks up the mount.

Ageless hit the board in her last two outings, both stakes. She was third in the Miss Preakness going six furlongs at Pimlico. Stretching out to one mile and 70 yards, Ageless got second in the Go for Wand at Delaware Park.

Moment in Dixie is unbeaten in two starts, both at Belmont Park for trainer Jimmy Toner. Her Beyer Speed Figures of 85 and 88 suggest she might be the fastest of all in the field.

Salad Girl has won twice at Monmouth, both sprints last year against New Jersey-breds.

Ainsley switches back to dirt following three in-the-money finishes in turf stakes for Suffolk Down-based trainer Marcus Vitali.

Amy Tarrant paid $350,000 for Street Crew at the March 2011 Ocala sale and took her time bringing the filly along. She didn’t run for almost a year after the purchase, and is 1 for 4 since her debut at Gulfstream in February.

“She had a tiny hitch and we were worried about a tendon,” Tarrant said. “We felt we spent a lot of money for her and it was worthwhile to take our time. She’s training like a monster. She’s more than ready to go.”

Morrow Cove, across-entered in the Delaware Oaks on Saturday, completes the field.