Waist Deep finds first stakes triumph in Sapling

Waist Deep became a stakes winner Sunday when he held off a bid from Pickin’ Time to win the $100,000 Sapling at Monmouth Park.

He won by 2 3/4 lengths, while it was another 5 3/4 lengths back to Tapwood in third.

The Sapling was for 2-year-olds, at a mile.

Waist Deep ($6.20), who was a sharp maiden special weight winner at Delaware Park, was making his two-turn debut. He broke well and quickly moved to the lead in the Sapling, setting fractions of 24.66 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.68 for the half-mile and 1:12.83 for six furlongs. In the stretch, he kept Pickin’ Time at bay while covering the distance on a fast track in 1:39.54.

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Jorge Vargas Jr., was aboard for trainer Anthony Farrior.

Waist Deep is a son of Oxbow who races for Super C Racing and John Huber. He earned $60,000 for his win Sunday to improve his record to 2 for 4 for earnings of $93,363.