Stonetastic must ration her speed in Regret

OCEANPORT, N.J. – The first thing to do when handicapping the $75,000 Regret Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday is to draw a line through Stonetastic’s last race, a seven-furlong, no-conditions allowance at Parx Racing in which she finished fourth. She simply went too fast early.

Stonetastic, trained by Kelly Breen, cut out fractions of 21.57 seconds and 43.62 under Frankie Pennington while being chased by Disco Chick, who is exceedingly quick herself. Stonetastic was already starting to feel the effects of her efforts when she reached the furlong pole 2 1/2 lengths in front in 1:09.71. She weakened through the final eighth of a mile – which went in 13.99 – and was beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

“Pennington kind of apologized after the race,” Breen said. “She’s very fast, and the horse in second was clucking and pushing us. He didn’t realize how quick she was going.”

How tough were those early fractions? Disco Chick tired to finish sixth and last, beaten 8 1/4 lengths. She’s Hot Wired – who also is entered in the Regret – came from eight lengths off the pace to win. And the second- and third-place finishers, Four Inch Heels and Love Came to Town, stumbled at the start and broke slowly, respectively, which may have actually been a blessing in disguise.

“She was tired after the race and down in the dumps for a few days,” Breen said, “but she’s doing great now.”

Breen said he considered running Stonetastic in Wednesday’s Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga, but “she’s had trouble in the heat sometimes, and it’s been so hot. We decided it was better to stay here and run her out of her stall.”

Stonetastic benefits Saturday from the Regret’s shorter six-furlong distance. Look for Paco Lopez to ration her early speed.

Stonetastic will have to deal with Sky Gold and Bustin Out on the front end.

Key Contenders

Stonetastic, by Mizzen Mast
Last 3 Beyers: 80-92-96

◗ Stonetastic set the pace before finishing second to 5 3/4-length winner Taris in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs in her start prior to the Parx race.

◗ A two-time Grade 2 winner, she holds a big class edge over this field.

Sky Gold, by Successful Appeal
Last 3 Beyers: 85-54-46

◗ In her second start after being transferred to trainer Jorge Navarro, she ran a career-best Beyer Speed Figure while winning a third-level optional claimer on the lead at Monmouth. In her debut for Navarro, she was outrun in a turf sprint.

“It’s a little scary that Kelly’s horse is in there, but we’re going to run,” Navarro said. “I really don’t have anywhere else to go with her. She’s doing excellent.”

She’s Hot Wired, by Cable Boy
Last 3 Beyers: 86-81-81

◗ Just like her win last out at Parx, her off-the-pace style likely will be suited by a fast pace in the Regret.

Bustin Out, by Bustin Stones
Last 3 Beyers: 86-81-85

◗ She has turned into a very consistent runner for trainer Chuck Spina and comes into this race off a second-level optional-claiming sprint victory.

◗ She is fast and adds to what could be a quick pace.