Rainbow Heir, Geeky Gorgeous will tote heavy loads in Jersey-bred stakes
Statebred days are supposed to bring out the best the local breeding program has produced, so it is only right that Rainbow Heir and Geeky Gorgeous will participate in the four stakes for New Jersey-breds at Monmouth Park on Saturday.
As is customary these days, each of the 10 races on the Monmouth card is for Jersey-breds. There are four $60,000 handicaps, two for 3-year-olds and up and two for fillies and mares. Each division has a race at six furlongs and one at 1 1/16 miles.
Since the four races are handicaps, the weight spreads in theory should help level the playing field. Rainbow Heir will carry 126 pounds in the New Jersey Breeders, and Geeky Gorgeous has been assigned 128 in the Eleven North. Still, they will be short prices to succeed.
New Jersey Breeders (Race 9)
KEY CONTENDERS
Rainbow Heir (Last 3 Beyers: 101-95-74)
◗ Began his career last season as a 3-year-old by winning his first four starts, three against open company, including the Jersey Shore Stakes. He then got a bit lost while trying tougher in the Grade 2 Amsterdam, Grade 3 Gallant Bob, and Dave’s Friend Stakes. Rainbow Heir came up a bit short in his season debut in the John J. Reilly Handicap but has looked sharp in winning his last two races, including the open Teddy Drone Stakes.
◗ Owned and bred by Ebby Novak’s New Farm and trained by Ben Perkins Jr., Rainbow Heir is a son of Wildcat Heir, the winner of the 2005 Teddy Drone and De Francis Dash for the same connections. Wildcat Heir is a two-time leading stallion by earnings in Florida.
◗ Will concede from three to 14 pounds to his six rivals in this six-furlong race. Look for Rainbow Heir to test deeper waters in the near future.
Partyallnightlong (Last 3 Beyers: 75-77-89)
◗ This 7-year-old will carry 123 pounds, three fewer than Wildcat Heir, whom he beat in the Reilly Handicap in May. Owned and bred by Richard Malouf and trainer Eddie Broome, Partyallnightlong was beaten 6 3/4 lengths last out in the My Frenchman Stakes. The winner, Bern Identity, returned to take a $100,000 restricted stakes at Saratoga and is entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Dave’s Friend Stakes at Laurel Park.
Charles Hesse III (Race 8)
KEY CONTENDER
Silent Appeal (Last 3 Beyers: 80-81-85)
◗ Will carry 124 pounds for trainer Claudio Gonzalez and give four to 12 pounds to his nine rivals. Won the statebred Dan Horn Stakes on turf in June but has scored eight of his 10 career wins on dirt and is quite comfortable at the 1 1/16-mile distance of this race. Has stayed mostly in starter-allowance races since last fall but was offered for a $27,500 claiming price in his race prior to the Dan Horn.
Jersey Girl (Race 7)
KEY CONTENDER
Can’t Explain (Last 3 Beyers: 73-79-65)
◗ Has been facing first-level allowance company in New York for trainer John Kimmel. Will be switching from turf to dirt for this 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares.
Eleven North (Race 3)
KEY CONTENDER
Geeky Gorgeous (Last 3 Beyers: 65-94-85)
◗ Will carry 10 or 11 pounds more than any of her five rivals. Finished seventh in the Grade 1 Ballerina for trainer Danny Lopez last time out. Has raced exclusively in open-company stakes in her four starts this year and won the Regret Stakes at Monmouth two starts back.