Monmouth Park: Shorter distance of Fort Monmouth should help Out Post

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Look out for Out Post in the $65,000 Fort Monmouth Stakes on Saturday. She could be sitting on a strong rebound effort in the 5 1/2-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares at Monmouth Park.

The 5-year-old Out Post will be making her second start of the season following a disappointing return.

She had a solid 2010, going 2-1-1 in 4 starts. Out Post closed out the campaign with a bang-up effort, missing by a neck in the Jenny Wade Stakes at Penn National. She sustained a bruised foot in that July 30 race, earning plenty of rest and recovery time heading into the Glia overnight stakes at Belmont Park on May 13.

The 9-5 favorite, Out Post bounded to the lead in the six-furlong race, dictating reasonable fractions. She didn’t have the needed staying power in deep stretch as pursuers swallowed her up in a sixth-place finish.

“There was nothing wrong with the last race other than she fell apart the last sixteenth,” trainer Alan Goldberg said. “She came out of the race well, so she should run well.”

In addition to the fact that Out Post bounced out of the race in good order, Goldberg is also encouraged by the shorter distance.

”It’s great,” he said. “I wish it was five-eighths.”

Out Post landed post 6 in a nine-horse field, another good omen.

“At 5 1/2 furlongs, you’re better outside than inside. From the inside, you have to angle out and then come in,” Goldberg said, referring to Monmouth’s infield chute for grass sprints. “I’m looking forward to her running a good race. She might have been a little short. That’s what I hope happened.”

Mike Luzzi picks up the mount on Out Post, who has a win and a third in two Monmouth grass sprints.

Dances With Ashley also shortens up for the Fort Monmouth after running fifth in the Hollywood Wildcat at 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass at Calder. She was no factor here last summer in a pair of overnight stakes on the main track. Elvis Trujillo will be aboard for trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.

Ahvee’s Destiny, a veteran of female turf sprint stakes, looks to recapture past glory. The 10-time winner trained by Linda Rice has only one win in her last 10 outings. Leading rider Joe Bravo gets the assignment.