Rosie Jeeks prevails in Goldwood, boosts Brown's Monmouth record

Chad Brown, based primarily in New York during the summer, operates what might be termed a satellite string at Monmouth Park. When it comes to Monmouth stakes races, though, Brown sits at the center of the universe.

Starting in 2020, a couple trainers have accumulated 16 Monmouth stakes wins. That’s tied for second during the period. Brown, after Rosie Jeeks posted a minor upset Saturday in the $102,000 Goldwood, has won 34.

Rosie Jeeks, owned by Team Hanley and Thirty Year Farm, made two starts in 2023, another in February 2024, and then didn’t start again until May 25. She won a first-level turf sprint allowance by three-quarters of a length, hardly an obvious breakout performance, but enough that connections stuck her in the Goldwood, a turf sprint for older fillies and mares. She won that, too.

Racing five or six lengths off what appeared to be a moderate pace (no fractional times were recorded), Rosie Jeeks saved ground around the turn under Samy Camacho, came off the fence at the 3/16 pole after turning for home, and once outside and in the clear she mowed down the three horses still in front of her to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Drifaros rallied moderately up the fence to nab second by a half-length over Epona, the 3/5 favorite who got a perfect pressing trip but came up entirely empty at the furlong grounds. Rosie Jeeks paid $10.80 and ran 5 1/2 furlongs over a firm turf course in 1:02.74.

Four-year-old Rosie Jeeks was bred in Florida by A Francis Vanlangendonck and Barbara Vanlangendonck. She’s a daughter of World of Trouble and Remington Rose, by Take Charge Indy and, after being purchased at auction as a yearling for $62,000, she sold as a 2-year-old to current connections for $240,000. Rosie Jeeks was entered in and withdrawn from a January horses-of-all-ages auction. Instead, she rejoined the Brown barn, went to Monmouth Park, and – no surprise -- won a stakes race.

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