Smithwick's Spice has third straight victory in Joey P. Handicap

Smithwick’s Spice won his third consecutive race Sunday, when he darted to a three-length victory over fellow highweight Like What I See in the $85,000 Joey P. Handicap at Monmouth Park.

The five-furlong sprint on the grass was for 3-year-olds and up bred in New Jersey. It shared a card with the $85,000 Pinot Grigio Handicap won by Bramble Bay ($4.40).

Smithwick’s Spice ($4) and Like What I See were the 122-pound co-highweights for the Joey P. The horses were both prominent, with Like What I See setting fractions of 22.45 seconds for the opening quarter and 45 seconds for the half-mile. Smithwick’s Spice moved past the leader and went on to cover the distance on firm ground in 56.84 seconds.

Jairo Rendon was aboard for trainer Douglas Nunn.

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Smithwick’s Spice started his streak Aug. 7, in a $12,500 starter allowance at Monmouth. He then won a first-level allowance at the track Aug. 26 before notching his first stakes win in the Joey P.

Smithwick’s Spice has now won 7 of 24 starts for earnings for $363,437. The son of Frost Giant races for his breeder, New Spice Stable. Smithwick’s Spice is 3 for 3 on the turf at Monmouth.

Bramble Bay, who was the 123-pound highweight in the Pinot Grigio for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares, was up for a half-length win over favorite and pacesetter Roselba. The winner covered five furlongs on firm turf in 57.24 seconds. Paco Lopez was aboard the daughter of Bullet Train for Michael Dubb and trainer Mike Maker. Bramble Bay was winning the third stakes race of her career and now has a record of eight wins from 32 starts for earnings of $449,413.