Unbeaten colt Atreides coasts in Monarchos Stakes

Stonestreet Stables and trainer Marty Wolfson surely will be looking for a more demanding spot for Atreides after the highly promising 3-year-old colt stayed unbeaten in three career starts with a 17 1/2-length victory Saturday in the $75,000 Monarchos Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Edgard Zayas, Atreides returned $2.40 in easily defeating five other 3-year-olds, completing the one-turn mile in 1:36.47 over a fast track. General Sham’mah was second.

Atreides broke cleanly to race third down the backstretch before cruising to the lead midway through the turn and effortlessly increasing his advantage down the stretch. By Medaglia d’Oro out of Dream Rush, Altreides has been a source of excitement from the outset for owner-breeder Stonestreet, having posted Beyer Speed Figures of 102 and 105 in prior victories at Gulfstream in maiden and first-level allowance sprints.

The $2 exacta (5-2) paid $13, the $1 trifecta (5-2-4) returned $18.70, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-2-4-7) was worth a mere $6.39.

Zayas has been on a hot streak in pulling away to a sizable lead atop the jockey standings at a meet that began July 1. Including four wins Saturday, Zayas had booted home 22 winners in the last seven racing days at Gulfstream.