Ready to Roll prevails in Battlefield

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Ready to Roll helped Monmouth Park's $75,000 Battlefield Stakes live up to its name Sunday when he narrowly grabbed a nose victory over Indy Vidual in a prep race for the Grade I United Nations Handicap.

The Irish-bred son of Priolo sat off the dueling El Mirasol and

Runspastum while moving up the rail. Ridden by jockey Roberto Alvarado, Ready to Roll darted through a hole near the hedge in the stretch then won the head-bob when Indy Vidual challenged late. They stopped the clock in 1:47 1/5 over a firm course and paid $65.20 to win.

"I was hoping the inside would open up and when it did we shot up there," said Alvarado. "A few jumps before the wire my horse got his head in front and I knew it would be tight. He showed a lot of guts today."

Trainer Dennis Manning said Mac Fesenfeld's 6-year-old gelding had been nominated to the U.N. and would aim for that July 1st stakes at Monmouth.

Trainer Linda Rice maintained a perfect record at the Monmouth

meet when Spruce Run won his third straight in the $50,000 Spend A Buck Stakes.

Rice improved to 4-for-4 since the May 26 opener as Spruce Run ($3.40) drew away from American Prince and Davy Jones. Jose Ferrer was in the saddle and earned a double on the day.

Joe Bravo, who won three races Saturday, won four more races Sunday to widen his lead in the jockey standings.