Vision Perfect should get a breather

Though he was sent off the 4-5 favorite in the Silks Run Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 9, Vision Perfect could be forgiven for getting beat in what was his 7-year-old debut.

First, he attended an insane pace – the early factions were 20.68 seconds for a quarter, 42.92 for the half-mile. Second, he was inhaled by the extremely talented Imprimis, who a month later would add the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes to his list of seven wins from nine starts.

In Sunday’s $75,000 Get Serious Stakes at Monmouth Park, Vision Perfect appears to have found a friendlier spot. While there is speed signed on in the Get Serious, trainer Jason Servis believes Vision Perfect can work out a better trip in the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint, which serves as the feature on the 11-race card.

“He doesn’t need to run like that,” said Servis, referring to attending a hot pace. “That extra furlong will probably help. He can sit second or third.”

Vision Perfect won four turf sprint stakes last year, including the Grade 3 Parx Dash. His only two poor races came at Churchill Downs.

A horse that spent the early part of his career with David Donk in New York, Vision Perfect will be making his first start at Monmouth in what will be his 35th career start.

The Get Serious drew 14, but only nine may run. Tricks to Doo will scratch as he ran in Friday’s Jim McKay Turf Sprint at Pimlico. That will allow Wet Your Whistle to draw in from the also-eligible list.

New York’s Finest scratched out of the Jim McKay to run in the Get Serious. A New York-bred by City Zip trained by Linda Rice, New York’s Finest is 2 for 2 at Monmouth Park, both with Jose Ferrer aboard. Ferrer is back on Sunday.

New York’s Finest is coming off a sixth-place finish in the King T. Leatherbury Stakes at Laurel, his first start in six months.

“First start off a layoff, tough race,” Rice said. “I think he needed the race.”

Rocket Heat makes his 7-year-old debut in this spot for trainer Mike Tannuzzo. A gelding by Latent Heat, Rocket Heat was last seen winning the Claiming Crown Canterbury at Gulfstream Park last Dec. 1. He figures to be the primary speed under Angel Juarez.

Pool Winner is 2-3-0 from six starts over the Monmouth turf. Breaking from the rail, he figures to be a pace factor under Edwin Rivera.

Fixed Point, Bold Thunder, They Shot Sonny, and Eastern Bay are others in the body of the race. Nice Tune, Square Shooter, Wild Caramelo, and Two Notch Road will need scratches to draw in from the also-eligible list.