Monmouth Park: Flay Mignon wins Colleen Stakes on front end

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Flay Mignon scored a front-running victory Sunday in the $78,000 Colleen Stakes on the turf at Monmouth Park.

The Colleen is the prep for the meet’s top stakes for 2-year-old fillies, $100,000 Sorority on Sept. 1. Unlike the Colleen, the Sorority is contested on dirt at six furlongs.

It was the third victory of the day for the meet-leading team of trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. and jockey Paco Lopez.

“It’s been a good day,” Plesa said. “It’s been a good meet.”

Flay Mignon, coupled in the betting with Pray a Novena as the 1-2 favorites, fired right to the front in the five-furlong dash. Jonesin for Jerry, breaking from the outside post in the 10-horse field, went right with her.

They were side-by-side until Flay Mignon pulled clear in the lane for a 1 3/4-length victory. Pure Lady Like, the longest shot in the field at 54-1, came on to get second, with Aibhilin third.

A homebred in New Jersey for Laurie Plesa, the trainer’s wife, Flay Mignon is 2 for 2 in her career. She confidently beat statebreds in her debut on the main track before stepping up to the Colleen.

“I was a little bit concerned about the turf,” Plesa said. “Her sire, Yesbyjimminy, did not like the turf. He’s by Yes It’s True, and they don’t. I was hoping the mother’s part of the pedigree would take over and get her over this turf course.”

The dam is Forest Retreat, by Forest Camp.

Plesa said Flay Mignon and Pray a Novena will be pointed toward the Sorority. The entry paid $3 to win. The time was 56.77 seconds over the firm course.

Sara Bay was fourth, followed by Jonesin for Jerry, Gem City Gal, Pray a Novena, Sara’s Angel, Valerie Victoria and Sensational Value.