Statebred festival a bonanza for Broome

OCEANPORT, N.J. -- Eddie Broome was the big winner Sunday at the annual New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival, the day set aside at Monmouth Park exclusively for statebreds.

Broome was the owner and breeder of three winners on the card, including Lucky James in the $75,000 .

The bonanza didn't stop there. Broome was also the breeder of Hermosillo, winner of the richest race of the day: the $100,000 .

Way With Words won the other stakes on the card, the $75,000 .

The favorites finished off the board in all three stakes, setting the stage for a trio of upsets ranging from mild to stunning.

Hermosillo ($72.40) pulled off the biggest surprise, a front-running win with Pedro Cotto, Jr. aboard for trainer Steve DiMauro.

"I thought they were going pretty quick and he had a horse breathing down his neck," DiMauro said. "I was pretty concerned until about the quarter pole and then I felt pretty good."

Turning for home, Hermosillo sprinted clear, finishing six lengths ahead of Luna Park with Cuba, last year's Hesse winner, third.

The time was 1:44.41 for the 1 1/16 miles on the fast track.

At the Disco, the 8-5 favorite, was fourth.

Lucky James ($9.60) put away 4-5 choice Unwritten in the stretch, going on to a 1 1/4-length victory in the New Jersey Breeders over Hop Skip and Away with Who's the Cowboy third.

Pablo Fragoso was aboard as Lucky James ran the six furlongs in 1:09.61.

Way With Words ($6.40) pulled clear to a four-length win over Love for Not in the Eleven North for fillies and mares. Eddie Castro rode for trainer Mary Eppler. The time for the six furlongs was 1:09.53.

Little Stitch, the even-money favorite, ran fifth.