Sandi's Ready out for breakthrough

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Trainer Cam Gambolati hopes the $60,000 Mongo Queen Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park is the key that unlocks the potential of Sandi's Ready.

The filly, 2 for 11, has not yet found a comfortable groove.

This will be her third straight Monmouth stakes appearance, although at a reduced distance. The Mongo Queen, at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf for 3-year-old fillies, drew a full field of nine with three more sitting on the also-eligible list.

Sandi's Ready finished fourth in her last two outings, the Little Silver at one mile and the Grade 3 Boiling Springs at 1 1/16 miles.

The Boiling Springs was a quality effort against a solid field. Sandi's Ready led into the lane and finished four lengths behind the victorious Mary's Follies.

"I've always questioned the filly going long, but she has done it," Gambolati said. "The last was a mile and a sixteenth against a very good field."

Gambolati hopes the combination of drawing outside in post 7 and a shorter distance will get Sandi's Ready her first stakes victory.

"She's doing great," Gambolati said. "I think drawing outside will be good for her. I'm hoping it's her distance."

He also hopes she gets to run on grass. It has been a rainy week on the Jersey Shore, with showers in the forecast throughout Haskell weekend.

Channing Hill will be aboard for the first time.

The horse to catch will be Streamin Heat, trained by Larry Rivelli.

Her season debut on March 28 at Tampa Bay Downs was a revelation. Running on grass for the first time, Streamin Heat grabbed the early lead and went on to a five-length win in a second-level allowance grass sprint, posting a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 88.

Elvis Trujillo, Monmouth's leading rider, will be aboard.

Ocean Colors also made a successful transition to grass last time out, taking a first-level sprint at Churchill Downs. Stewart Elliott gets the mount from trainer Steve Asmussen.

The actual composition of the field is up in the air, creating possible openings for Lady Alexander, Secret Humor, and Out Post to move in from the also-eligible list.

Iberian Gate, the rail horse in the Mongo Queen, ran Thursday at Monmouth. Puddy de Luca and Instrumentalist were cross-entered in Friday stakes at Penn National. Puddy de Luca is in the Femme Fatale Stakes, while Instrumentalist is also in the Jenny Wade Handicap.