Strike It Rich takes them all the way

Strike It Rich led all the way as speed remained golden on Monmouth Park's turf course in the for 3-year-old fillies.

Duplicating her pacesetting win last month in the Little Silver Stakes, Strike It Rich again flashed the style that perfectly suits the Monmouth course dominated this meet by front-running winners.

Garrett Gomez guided the 3-1 second choice right to the front at the start of the 1 1/16-mile race. They led by a comfortable margin throughout, finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead of the late-running Bay to Bay.

"She broke running," Gomez said. "I thought Island Time would be on top, but I found myself on the lead. We went slow early and fast late. She did everything I asked of her. I never hit her."

Later that afternoon, Gomez nabbed another stakes win aboard Malibu Prayer in the $100,000 Lighthouse Stakes.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Strike It Rich improved to 4 for 8 with a third straight win. The time was 1:40.25 on the firm course.

Bay to Bay, the 19-10 favorite, had the misfortune of drawing the outside post in the 10-horse field. She was wide throughout before launching a strong charge to get second.

"Nobody went with the pacesetter," said Alan Garcia, Bay to Bay's rider. "My horse ran on really well. There was just no pace in front of me."

Triple Cream was third.

Lighthouse: Malibu Prayer romps

Malibu Prayer won the for fillies and mares by a commanding 4 1/2 lengths over Luna Vega, with Just Jenda third.

Malibu Prayer, the 8-5 second choice, earned her first win beyond one mile. She ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.40, with Gomez aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Just Jenda, the 13-10 favorite, suffered her first loss at Monmouth following three wins here, including the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks last summer.