Sunny Ridge handles longer distance in Sapling

Sunny Ridge successfully stretched out to a mile in the $100,000 Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday, pulling off a mild upset over 7-5 favorite Full Salute.

Sunny Ridge won a $40,000 maiden-claiming race at Monmouth in his career debut and trainer Jason Servis thought highly enough of the effort that he sent him to Saratoga for the Sanford Stakes. Although he finished seventh at 61-1, he was beaten less than four lengths.

On Sunday in the Sapling, Nik Juarez took a light hold of Sunny Ridge as the two favorites outside of him were sent from the gate. Juarez sat still until nearing the far turn, bid for the lead four wide nearing the stretch, and Sunny Ridge then outfinished Full Salute to score by 2 1/4 lengths. He paid $9.80 as the fourth choice in the six-horse field and was timed in 1:39.80.

Majestic Robert, the longest shot in the field, set the early pace while being tracked by Full Salute. Pinnacle Peak, the second choice at 9-5 who had shipped in from Arlington Park, came next, with Grecian Prince also in contention while saving ground.

Full Salute challenged outside Majestic Robert on the far turn and Pinnacle Peak challenged three wide nearing the stretch but Sunny Ridge proved strongest.

Full Salute finished a clear second, 6 1/2 lengths in front of Pinnacle Peak in third. Majestic Robert was fourth.

“Jason and I talked about it and we wanted to let the two outside horses with speed go and settle in right behind,” Juarez said. “It was his first time going two turns so I was just patient. Around the three-eighths, I had a lot of horse, and once I straightened him out, that was it.”

Things are going very well for Juarez. His business has not suffered since he lost his apprentice allowance the last week in August. He rode his first stakes winner last week when Valid won the Grade 3 Iselin, and on Saturday he got engaged to his longtime girlfriend Kara Evans.

Full Salute, a son of Holy Bull, is owned and was bred in New Jersey by Dennis Drazin, the head of Darby Development, which operates Monmouth on behalf of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.