Monmouth Park: Seaneen Girl runs away with Monmouth Oaks

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Seaneen Girl pulled away to a six-length win over Mr Hall’s Opus on Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Monmouth Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

Paco Lopez was aboard for his fourth win of the day as Seaneen Girl picked up her second graded win, having captured Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs last November.

Seaneen Girl had several advantages heading into the Monmouth Oaks. For starters, she had a wealth of experience. This was her 13th start, easily the tops in the field, and it produced the third victory for the filly, trained by Bernie Flint.

The other edge was the switch back to dirt, where she has done most of her best running. Seaneen Girl was a disappointing sixth in her previous effort over the synthetic strip in the Arlington Oaks.

In the Monmouth Oaks, Seaneen Girl was right on the pace early, closely stalking the pacesetting Makayla’s Angel. Seaneen Girl took charge midway on the final turn, and widened her margin through the lane.

“She’s a super nice filly,” Flint said. “Very sound and very kind.”

The time was 1:44.04 for 1 1/16 miles on the fast track.

Lucky Rag Doll was third, followed by Zenzara, Alli Leigh, Mary Bernice, C C Gold, and Makayla’s Angel, who was disqualified from sixth and placed last for interfering with C C Gold early in the race.

Seaneen Girl paid $4.80 to win.