Stanford faces Souper Colossal in Long Branch
The $100,000 Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday matches Louisiana Derby runner-up Stanford against three-time stakes winner Souper Colossal, whose season is just now getting started in earnest following a spring illness.
The Long Branch is a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds. Last year, the top three finishers – Irish You Well, Just Call Kenny, and Encryption – came back 22 days later in the Haskell Invitational. With the presence of American Pharoah expected to hold down the field size for this year’s Haskell, you can bet that Monmouth officials are hoping someone wheels back out of Saturday’s race.
Stanford, a $550,000 2-year-old buy in 2014 who is trained by Todd Pletcher, won his career debut at Monmouth last June. His best performance in six career starts came in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, where he finished second by a neck to International Star, who swept the track’s stakes series for 3-year-olds. Stanford set the pace that day, and although caught by International Star, he finished more than four lengths clear of the third-place finisher.
Last time out, Stanford was second in a three-horse Easy Goer Stakes field to Japan, who is being pointed to the Jim Dandy.
:: DRF Live: Get real-time updates and insights from DRF reporters and handicappers on Saturday
Souper Colossal was the best 2-year-old based at Monmouth last year, winning all three of his starts, including the Sapling and Tyro stakes.
Souper Colossal, trained by Eddie Plesa Jr., has made two starts this year, both in turf sprints. He won the Texas Glitter at Gulfstream in February but was scratched out of the Tampa Bay Derby after developing a fever. He finished second at Monmouth in the June 14 Select Stakes and now returns to dirt and stretches out in distance. Plesa recently said that he ran Souper Colossal in the Select Stakes so he would be at his best for the Long Branch.
Souper Colossal has a sharp early foot and will have to be caught to be beaten Saturday.
:: Bet the Long Branch with DRF Bets. Get up to a $500 cash bonus! Find out more today.
KEY CONTENDERS
Souper Colossal (Last 3 Beyers: 81-81-81)
◗ Plesa thought highly enough of Souper Colossal at 2 to run him in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He finished seventh after stumbling at the start and getting caught up in a pace duel.
Stanford (Last 3 Beyers: 87-98-93)
◗ He holds a big Beyer Speed Figure edge over his six rivals and will rule a solid favorite.
◗ Pletcher is 11 for 43 at the Monmouth meet and tied for second in the standings as the race week begins.
Gorgeous Bird (Last 3 Beyers: 76-79-80)
◗ He is seeking to get back on track after a promising start to his career for trainer Ian Wilkes. He won a Churchill Downs maiden race in his 2-year-old finale and a Gulfstream optional-claiming race in his 3-year-old debut.
◗ Wilkes adds blinkers to Gorgeous Bird’s equipment Saturday and stretches him out from seven furlongs