Ozara takes Miss Liberty; Neat, Third Coast win turf stakes
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Ozara picked up the sixth stakes win of her career Saturday when she ran down a loose-on-the-lead Long Ago in the $100,000 Miss Liberty at Monmouth Park.
Ozara ($3.60) won by a half-length over Long Ago, while it was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third to Shotgun Wedding. The race was the first of three turf stakes on the card.
A Grade 2 winner, Ozara rode the rail in third as Long Ago dictated the pace through fractions of 24.71 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 49.25 for the half-mile, and 1:14.30 for six furlongs.
Ozara was angled out by jockey Manny Franco into the stretch and took after the leader, then went on to cover the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.15.
Miguel Clement trains Ozara for Cheyenne Stable. She is a daughter of Lope de Vega and she is now 8 for 16 for earnings of $667,882.
Cliff Hanger
Neat pushed his career earnings to $999,110 on Saturday when he battled for a neck win over Cosmic Year in the $100,000 Cliff Hanger. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third to Sand Pipes.
Neat ($21.60) had two horses beat early and was situated along the rail as There Are No Words led the field through the opening six furlongs. Neat advanced around the final turn while continuing to ride the rail, moved to the lead in the stretch, and went on to cover the 1 1/16 miles in a hand-timed 1:41.87.
There were no fractional times due to a timer malfunction, according to the chart issued by Equibase. Reylu Gutierrez was aboard Neat for trainer Rob Atras.
Neat is a Grade 2-winning son of Constitution who is now 7 for 19. He is owned by Red White and Blue Racing LLC and CMNWLTH.
Jersey Derby
Third Coast became a stakes winner Saturday when he rallied for a two-length win over Aces Honor in the $100,000 Jersey Derby. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to King’s Remark.
Third Coast ($13.60) stalked the pace in fourth as Guitarist took the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.44 seconds, a half-mile in 48.48 and six furlongs in 1:12.88.
Third Coast came three wide into the stretch, burst to the lead, and went on to cover the mile for 3-year-olds in 1:36.18. Jose Lezcano was aboard the winner for trainer Tom Proctor.
Third Coast is a son of Uncle Mo and the multiple Grade 1 winner Marketing Mix, who earned $2 million. Third Coast races for his breeder, Glen Hill Farm. He is now 2 for 3 for earnings of $82,485.
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