Monmouth Park: Royal Currier continues to pay dividends in Anderson Fowler

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Royal Currier captured his turf debut with a front-running effort in the $67,750 Anderson Fowler Stakes for 3-year-olds before a Father’s Day crowd of 27,039 at Monmouth Park.

A gelding, Royal Currier ($4.60) has won five times since trainer Patricia Farro and Mat Stable claimed him for $20,000 last September. It was his third stakes win since the barn change.

Joe Bravo, the meet’s leading grass rider, was aboard as Royal Currier ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:02.18 on the firm course as the 6-5 favorite.

Christiesborntorun was second by 1 1/4 lengths with Freud’s Honour third.

Mike Farro, who handles the New Jersey division for his wife, said Royal Currier could switch back to the main track for the Grade 3, $150,000 Jersey Shore Stakes here on July 3.

“We thought he would run a big race over the grass,” Farro said.”We worked him twice over it and he loved it. Wherever we’ve run him, he’s run well.”

Gunfighter handles longer distance in Bernie Dowd

Gunfighter stretched out nicely to win the $67,750 Bernie Dowd Handicap for New Jersey-breds.

Second in sprints at Monmouth in his prior two races, Gunfighter was right on the pace in the mile-and-70-yard race. Jose Valdivia, Jr. kept the 4-year-old Gunfighter in close contact with the pacesetting Hermosillo before taking command.

Gunfighter ($4.80) prevailed by three lengths over Adduce, the longest shot in the field at 48-1. Hermosillo held on for third.

Trained by Steve Klesaris, Gunfighter now has 3 wins and 3 seconds in 6 starts at Monmouth.

The time was 1:41.76 on the fast track.