Triple Threat's nose hits wire first in Monmouth Stakes

Triple Threat, making his U.S. debut for trainer Bill Mott, Team Valor International, and Gary Barber, showed a sharp turn of foot to nose out Middleburg in the Grade 2 Monmouth Stakes on Sunday at Monmouth Park.

Triple Threat went 3 for 13 in three seasons in Europe, winning a Group 2 at Maisons-Laffitte and a Group 3 at Longchamp. Now 5, he wintered in Florida with Mott and came into the Monmouth with 10 works dating back to March 17, six at Payson Park and four at Saratoga.

He was unhurried early while saving ground under Jose Lezcano, who wheeled him out in the course in upper stretch. He made up about 1 1/2 lengths on Middleburg in the stretch and was up to win by a nose, impressive considering the early fractions were slow.

The Monmouth Stakes is the local prep for the July 3 United Nations, a Grade 1 at 1 3/8 miles of turf on July 5. Based on his European form, that distance would suit Triple Threat if Mott decides to send him back to Monmouth Park.

Middleburg raced well in defeat. Outside the winner on the backstretch, he threaded his way between horses on the far turn, was angled outside by Joe Bravo entering the stretch, and got the jump on Triple Threat. He was moving well at the finish but just missed.

Pacesetter Inchscape finished third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Middleburg. Inchscape held a clear lead into the final furlong.

Cage Fighter, who pressed the early pace, was fourth, 1 1/4 lengths farther back. Ghurair, the 9-5 favorite, saved ground while forwardly placed to the stretch, lacked the needed kick and finished fifth, a nose behind Cage Fighter.

Triple Threat paid $7.40 and was timed in 1:49.89. The fractions were 25.27 seconds, 50.51, 1:14.52, and 1:37.96.

McSorley Stakes: Dreamsgonewild wins on lead

Dreamsgonewild showed marked improvement from his first start of the year to win the $60,000 John McSorley Stakes by a length.

Dreamsgonewild tired to finish seventh in his 6-year-old debut after chasing loose-on-the-lead Bold Thunder in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico. On Sunday, he vied for the early lead inside 18-1 El Botas, put that rival away in upper stretch, and then held a trio of closers at bay under strong handling from jockey Trevor McCarthy.

Dreamsgionewild won 3 of his 5 starts last year, including the Laurel Dash, for trainer Bruce Alexander.

“He really needed his race last time,” Alexander said. “I wondered if he had gotten enough out of it. His next start should be his best race.”

Dreamsgonewild paid $11.20 as the second choice in the 10-horse field. He was timed for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:02.24.

Scout’s Honor rallied from well out in the course to be second, a half-length ahead of Two Notch Road, who was closing just to his inside. Ancil came up the rail to finish fourth, a half-length behind Two Notch Road.

Buster Rose, the 4-5 favorite, was moving well late but lagged too far back early. Escapist, 7-1, broke slowly.