Violet brings Starstruck back to favorite turf course

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Starstruck returns to her favorite course Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Violet Stakes for fillies and mares on turf at Monmouth Park. The 1 1/8-mile stakes that originated at Meadowlands Racetrack drew a full gate of 14.

A 5-year-old Irish-bred chestnut trained by Larry Jones, Starstruck is 2 for 2 on grass at Monmouth, winning the last two renewals of the Grade 3 Matchmaker Stakes.

“We made a point to try and come back there, seeing as how she looks like she likes the Monmouth course,” Jones said. “Of course, we’re looking at rain, and she doesn’t like rain.”

Starstruck snapped a six-race losing streak in the Matchmaker last month, a stretch during which she caught four courses rated good to yielding. The weekend outlook on the Jersey Shore calls for sunny skies. The problem for Starstruck is that scattered thunderstorms were forecast for Thursday and Friday.

“That’s why they sent her out of Ireland, that she didn’t like a soft course,” Jones said. “It seems like we had trouble getting a firm one. Anytime she has, she’s run good.”

On the topic of running well, Overheard has never run a poor race in her consistent career. She has finished in the money in all 12 starts, including a victory last time out in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine.

Violet Stakes (Race 11)

KEY CONTENDERS

Starstruck (Last 3 Beyers: 97-83-72)

◗ Ran a career-best Beyer in Monmouth’s Matchmaker Stakes last month, improving her record to 2 for 2 on the course.

◗ Trainer Jones is 3-1-1 in 6 starts at the meet, with every victory a graded stakes.

“We’ve always been blessed at Monmouth,” Jones said. “Maybe it’s coming out of the stuffier air at Delaware Park and getting up there closer to the ocean for fresher air during the day. I don’t know what it is, but we just keep doing it.”

Overheard (Last 3 Beyers: 90-90-94)

◗ Remarkably consistent: 12 starts, 12 in-the-money finishes, with graded victories in two of her last three outings.

◗ Should benefit from an acclimating trip over the course, missing by only a head to Grade 1 winner Tannery in the Miss Liberty Stakes last May.

Irish Mission (Last 3 Beyers: 94-92-88)

◗ Rallied for second behind Starstruck in the Matchmaker, her third straight in-the-money stakes finish.

◗ Will need racing luck after drawing post 14.