That’s Right leads all the way in Turf Monster Stakes

BENSALEM, Pa. – That’s Right wasn’t as quick as his connections thought he’d be early, but he was certainly more than quick enough late as he scored a front-running, 1 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Turf Monster Stakes at Parx Racing.

The victory was the first in a graded race for both trainer Michael Moore and jockey Andy Hernandez. Moore stuck with Hernandez despite the fact he’s an apprentice rider who does not get the five-pound weight allowance in stakes that he does in overnight races. And Moore did it on a day when many big-name riders were in town for races like the Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion.

“Believe me, you get people saying with all these good riders coming in here you don’t want to use one of these guys?” Moore said. “He’s done nothing wrong on him. He helps me out in the morning, so it’s great we stuck with him and we get to win with him. He’s a good rider.”

In his previous four turf races – three of which were wins – That’s Right opened up at least two lengths in the opening quarter-mile. Such was not the case Saturday as That’s Right, breaking from the rail, was in front by only a half-length over Uncle Ernie, the 2-1 favorite, through an opening quarter in 22.42 seconds. That was concerning to Moore.

“I told a couple of people before the race if somebody is laying on him or near him we’re in trouble,” Moore said.

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Hernandez said that he got bumped by another horse entering the far turn and that seemed to embolden That’s Right who started to open up on the field. He came to the midstretch marker four lengths in front and settled for the 1 1/2-length victory.

“Right around the three-eighths I had a little bumping from the other horse, That’s Right was like all right he said it’s time to keep going,” Hernandez said.

Boat’s a Rockin, the 5-1 third choice, was second by a half-length over Dr. Duke. He was followed, in order, by Grooms All Bizness, Smooth B, Breezy Gust, Heros Reward, Extreme Force, Uncle Ernie, West Fork, and War Tocsin.

That’s Right, a 3-year-old son of Goldencents owned by James Shannon Jr., covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 57.66 seconds over firm ground and returned $7.40 as the second choice, getting a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

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