Precisely That seeks to extend win streak

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Precisely That and Lady Byar, two former claimers, square off Thursday in the $40,000 second-level allowance feature at Monmouth Park.

They are two of the top contenders in the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares.

Precisely That drew the outside post in the nine-horse field as she looks to extend her winning streak to three.

"The only thing that kills me is the post position," trainer Bobby Dibona said. "I hope I can overcome it."

Dibona claimed Precisely That for $10,000 at Gulfstream Park in April. In May she finished second in a Suffolk Downs allowance race and third for $12,500 at Monmouth, and since then she's won 3 of 4 starts.

Precisely That won a $12,500 claimer by 6 1/4 lengths, finished second in a first-level allowance, and then won two straight - a first-level allowance and an optional claimer with a second-level allowance condition.

Dibona said he was willing to lose her for $12,500 in May, but he's glad no one took her.

"Sometimes you have to be a little aggressive," he said. "If I did lose her for $12,500 and she won, we'd be in good shape. Thank goodness they didn't take her. She's been getting better and better. She's ready to roll."

Pedro Cotto Jr., aboard for the last four races, has the return call.

Lady Byar is remarkably consistent, having already won 12 races. She has been thriving recently in starter allowances for trainer Joe Orseno and was third last time out in an optional claiming race at Belmont Park

"We call her the cash cow," Orseno said. "We wanted to run in a starter in New York, but it didn't fill, so we elected to go in this spot."

Rajiv Maragh will ride.

Bold Assurance figures to attract strong betting support as a two-angle play. She is switching from turf to dirt following a neck loss here, and Joe Bravo, Monmouth's leading rider, picks up the mount for trainer Mark Hennig.

Mary Hartmann entered two: Real Memories and I Dare Billy.

Real Memories most recently rallied to win a $20,000 claimer, while the New Jersey-bred I Dare Billy was second in the slop last time behind Precisely That.