Oceanport proves right spot for Guys Reward

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Guys Reward reeled in the pacesetting Fredericksburg to win the Grade 3, $170,000 Oceanport Stakes by a length Sunday at Monmouth Park.

A class drop helped get Guys Reward home in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. A deep closer trained by Dale Romans, Guys Reward picked up minor shares in his prior three outings: the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs and a pair a Grade 2's, the Monmouth Stakes here and the Firecracker at Churchill. He faced some top turf runners in that three-race span, including two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan.

This time, Guys Reward was the one to fear.

It was the second straight Oceanport win for trainer Dale Romans following the victory by Silver Max last year. Jockey Paco Lopez got his third Oceanport win.

Guys Reward paid $11.20 to win. The time was 1:40.48 for the 1 1/16 miles on the firm course.

Under Control was third followed by Michael With Us, Slim Shadey, Mshawish, Change of Command, Lochte, Shkspeare Shaliyah, and Joe Tess.