Monmouth Park: Visionary Ruler leads gate to wire in Jersey Juvenile
OCEANPORT, N.J. – Visionary Ruler led all the way Saturday to capture the $63,200 Jersey Juvenile at Monmouth Park.
The six-furlong race for statebred 2-year-olds was the final stakes of the season in New Jersey.
The 7-2 second choice in the wagering, Visionary Ruler posted a second straight win after missing by only a half-length in his debut.
Visionary Ruler had not run since his maiden win here in mid-August. Trainer Bret Calhoun tried to find a race in between. When nothing filled, he opted to train the son of Pollard’s Vision up to the race.
Calhoun had two concerns coming into the Jersey Juvenile: a full field of 12 and the distance.
Visionary Ruler had not faced more than seven rivals in either of his prior two starts. A large field raised the prospect that Visionary Ruler would have company on the front end.
Calhoun discussed the possibility of rating Visionary Ruler with Chuckie Lopez, one of the top speed riders on the circuit who was aboard for the first time. When the gate sprung, Lopez and Visionary Ruler were winging and quickly took charge.
“With my reputation, there was not much discussion of that,” Lopez said of rating. “He left there running, so I just let him skip.”
The distance factor loomed as Visionary Ruler turned for home in his first race beyond five furlongs. It was no problem as Visionary Ruler finished up strong, beating Dancing Lion by 1 3/4 lengths, with Irish Politics, the 6-5 favorite, third.
“He had plenty left at the end,” Lopez said.
Visionary Ruler is a homebred for bloodstock agent Ed Rosen and the Roseland Farm Stable of John Bowers Jr.
Carl’s Only Vice was fourth, followed by Saucy Don, Shesfromboston, Bat Cave, Beautiful Joe, Mo Mo Mo Mo, Billyscrystalball, and City’s Fast Lane.
The time was 1:12.46 on the fast track as Visionary Ruler paid $9.40 to win.
The Monmouth meet concludes with a final card Sunday. The action shifts to the Meadowlands on Friday afternoon for the first of eight all-turf cards through Nov. 3.