Monongahela gets first stakes win, ends losing streak in Iselin Stakes

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Monongahela broke an 11-race losing streak dating to December 2017 with a four-length victory in the Grade 3, $150,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Monongahela, a private purchase by owner Michael Dubb and partners three starts prior to the Iselin, is trained by Jason Servis. He stalked the pacesetting Diamond King early, challenged that rival on the far turn, took the lead nearing the stretch, and then pulled away under jockey Jose Lezcano. The victory was the sixth from 24 starts for the 5-year-old son of K One King, who also has 11 second-place finishes. The Iselin is his first stakes win.

“The one time I rode him before this, we were further back, and I felt like he didn’t want to go by horses even though I thought I had plenty of horse,” Lezcano said. “Today, I tried to put him a lot closer. That way, he can finish and do the job.

“He’s at his best at a mile, a mile and a sixteenth, so this race set up well for us. We were going a little fast, but I knew I had plenty of horse.”

Timed in 1:42.45 for the 1 1/16 miles, Monongahela paid $10.60 as the third choice in the six-horse field.

Bal Harbour, who saved ground behind the leaders early, finished willingly to be second while never threatening the winner. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Diamond King in third.

Runnin’toluvya, who brought a 10-race winning streak at Charles Town into the Iselin, including the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, tracked Diamond King and Monongahela while outside horses in the backstretch at 9-2 but tired and finished fifth.

The Iselin was Monongahela’s first victory since he won a third-level optional-claiming race at Laurel Park by a neck on Dec. 4, 2017. During his losing streak, he finished second five times and third twice.

Lady’s Secret: Pink Sands rallies from last

Pink Sands was last of six early in the 1 1/16-mile Lady’s Secret Stakes, but she uncorked a nice burst to inhale Breaking Bread, who looked home free entering the stretch, and pulled away to a 3 1/2-length victory.

The $100,000 Lady’s Secret is the first stakes win for Pink Sands, who races for Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen. The 4-year-old daughter of Tapit is trained by Shug McGaughey.

Breaking Bread, who had seized the lead from the front-running Alberobello on the far turn, held second by a neck over Sun Studio.

Pink Sands paid $6.40 as the second choice behind 4-5 Alberobello. She was timed in 1:44.56.