Rose Catherine much the best in Mongo Queen

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Rose Catherine was a decisive winner Saturday in the $93,000 Mongo Queen Stakes for 3-year-old filly turf sprinters at Monmouth Park.
A daughter of Speightstown, Rose Catherine improved to a 4 for 4 in grass races ranging from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 furlongs.
Spiteful Gypsy grabbed the early lead with Rose Catherine quickly moving up to challenge with Chris DeCarlo aboard. They briefly disputed the lead before Rose Catherine pulled clear on the turn.
"My instructions were to stalk and pounce," DeCarlo said. "She kind of pulled me to the lead and I was just hanging on. I had a lot of horse the whole way. I wanted to sit a little longer, but the horse in front couldn't keep up."
The only question in the lane was the margin of victory. Up by five lengths at the top of the stretch, Rose Catherine finshed 3 1/2 lengths clear. A game Spiteful Gypsy held on for second in her stakes debut with Greeley's Rocket third.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Rose Catherine paid $3.20 to win. The time was 1.01.78 for about 5 1/2 furlongs on the firm course.
The runner-up in last year's Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, Rose Catherine continues to thrive in the turf sprints.
"She acts like she'll go long," DeCarlo said. "She has in the past. Sprinting, she's superior right now."