Strong Impact rallies to win during Irish Fest

OCEANPORT, N.J. – It was Irish Fest at Monmouth Park on Sunday, and there was more to the day than a crowd in excess of 14,000 enjoying the Celtic music, crafts, and food village: Jockey Trevor McCarthy, who had clinched the Pimlico riding title the day before, won the fourth race; trainer Pat McBurney was all smiles in the winner's circle while sporting a bright green sports jacket after the eighth; and the $60,000 co-feature of the day was the aptly named John McSorley Stakes.

To top it off, the featured Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes was won by Speaking of Which, who, like many in attendance, is an Irish-bred.

The McSorley, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint that begins in the chute that cuts diagonally across the Monmouth infield and navigates a single turn, went to 8-year-old Strong Impact, who was making his debut for owner-trainer David Jacobson after being claimed for $80,000 May 16 at Belmont Park.

Strong Impact went last to first in the McSorley under Monmouth's leading rider Paco Lopez to win by three-quarters of a length.

He paid $5.40 and was timed in 1:01.66 over firm turf.

Jewel of a Cat, a 4-year-old filly, finished second, a neck before A P Elvis.

Prudhoe Bay was forced to take up sharply along the inner rail while in contention on the backstretch, losing all chance. His rider, Angel Serpa, lodged an objection against Grateful Nation and jockey Victor Carrasco, but it was not allowed.

** It is worth taking note of the difficulty two horses in the eighth race had that resulted in their being scratched. When they next race there will not be a mention of this in their past performances because, obviously, they didn't get a chance to race and there will not be a running line.

Lusaka, a Todd Pletcher-trained maiden, threw a fit in the gate, spun around backward, broke through the front of the gate, and fell on her back. She was quickly caught by the outriders before she could run off.

The filly in the adjacent stall, the Alan Goldberg-trained Heir Worthy, also was scratched due to the incident.