Postulation shows no rust off layoff in Presious Passion Stakes

Away from the races since December, Postulation looked anything but rusty while posting a 2 3/4-length victory in the $75,000 Presious Passion Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday. The win was the sixth from 26 starts for the 7-year-old gelded son of Harlan’s Holiday and broke a nine-race losing streak dating back to his 2017 victory in the Grade 3 American St. Leger at Arlington Park.

Distance is Postulation’s friend. The Presious Passion was run at about 1 1/2 miles on turf and the American St. Leger was even longer at 1 11/16 miles. On Saturday, Saratoga Jack opened a sizable early lead with an eager Postulation settling into second position while under a strong hold by Paco Lopez.

Saratoga Jack was allowed to set a comfortable and seemingly slow pace (interior fractions were not posted for the race). On the third and final turn, Postulation readily advanced and seized control outside Saratoga Jack approaching the quarter pole. Surprise Twist, the 17-10 second betting choice, also launched his bid on the turn but it was clear he was not producing the same turn of foot as the winner.

Postulation was never in serious danger in the stretch, although Surprise Twist was able to secure the place by 1 1/4 lengths over Saratoga Jack.

Postulation was timed in 2:36.18 over a firm course and paid $5.20 in the six-horse field.

The Presious Passion was race 5 at Monmouth and the fourth win from four mounts on the day for Lopez.

"I wanted to give him a little breather but he never gave me a break," Lopez said of Postulation. "No loose reins the whole race.

"No one wanted to go second and third behind the loose speed [Saratoga Jack], and my horse was so strong that I took it. It worked out perfect."

Postulation races for the Runnymede Racing of Gregory and Caroline Bentley. He was turned over to trainer Michael Matz last summer and in his final three starts of the season finished third in the Laurel Turf Cup, second in the restricted Point of Entry at Belmont Park, and 10th in the Grade 2 Ft. Lauderdale at Gulfstream Park.

Matz worked Postulation five times for his comeback at the Fair Hill Training Center. By the looks of his performance, there could be more wins on the horizon.