Motion's pair merits respect in turf co-features

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Trainer Graham Motion sends out a promising 3-year-old in each of the $40,000 divisions of the Friday feature at Monmouth Park. The one-mile turf race for first-level allowance fillies and mares proved so popular at the entry box that it was split into a pair of eight-horse fields, with three more waiting on the also-eligible list.

Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Latique (Last 3 Beyers: 76-70-57)

◗ The first Motion runner shows an improving Beyer Speed Figure pattern, including her maiden win last time out. However, that last race was in January at Gulfstream Park. Motion’s runners win at an 18 percent clip following layoffs of more than six months.

◗ Should be fit, having breezed on each of the last six Saturdays at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.

It’s My Time (Last Beyer: 71)

◗ Class drop makes her a contender despite a 1-for-20 record. This will be her second U.S. start, following an eighth-place finish in a second-level allowance at Delaware Park last month.

◗ Should be fine on any surface. This 5-year-old had extensive experience in England on both turf and the all-weather synthetic tracks.

American Girl

◗ The unknown factor makes her second start. She was an easy winner on an all-weather track in Ireland in February and now debuts for trainer Alan Goldberg, who is 4 for 12 at the meet.

◗ Should be on her toes following three turf breezes at nearby Colts Neck Stable and adds Lasix for her U.S. debut.

◗ The combination of Goldberg and jockey Julian Pimentel is 3 for 5 here this season.

Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Irish Score (Last 3 Beyers: 73-78-72)

◗ Winless in four competitive races this year for Motion. Last two outings were a second and a fourth against tougher first-level runners at Belmont Park.

◗ Makes her second start over the course, having finished fourth here in May when caught wide on both turns while beaten only 2 1/4 lengths.

Dance With Gio (Last 3 Beyers: 73-73-71)

◗ The only entrant in this race with a victory over the course, beating New Jersey-bred claimers in 2012.

◗ Takes a class drop after setting the pace before finishing third against $40,000 claimers at Belmont. Before that, she was fourth here against statebred males in the Dan Horn Handicap. Her last three Beyers put her squarely in the mix.

Maggies Applause (Last 3 Beyers: 64-46-57)

◗ Maiden winner most recently at Tampa Bay Downs in April makes her first start outside of Florida for trainer Kathleen O’Connell. The needed Beyer improvement is not out of the question with a conditioner who excels with horses returning from similar freshenings.

◗ Showed the ability to rate last time and bide her time. While she benefited from a huge inside opening when the leaders drifted wide at the top of the lane, that style will pay off in the future.