Winfromwithin perseveres to win Red Bank Stakes

Neither a scorching pace nor a stewards' inquiry and claim of foul by the runner-up could keep Winfromwithin from victory in the $102,000 Red Bank Stakes on Monday at Monmouth Park.

Winfromwithin tore off to a clear lead in going into the first of the Red Bank’s two turns and flew through his first half-mile at a sprint clip, 45.16 seconds. Stretch-out sprinter Belgrano tried to stick with Winfromwithin, but his tank hit empty on the first part of the far turn as Nothing Better came through along the inside to take up the challenge.

Angel Rodriguez on Nothing Better went for an inside run as Winfromwithin and Carlos Rojas cornered for home about three paths off the rail, but as Nothing Better gained ground in upper stretch, Winfromwithin drifted a couple paths to his left. Rodriguez had to take a hold of his horse, who brushed the inner rail trying to avoid Winfromwithin, losing a couple lengths in the process. Nothing Better made his way outside the pacesetter for a final run that fell 1 1/4 lengths short.

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The stewards posted the inquiry sign and Rodriguez lodged an objection, but there was no change made in the order of finish.

Not that Winfromwithin wasn’t a deserving winner: He went hard to make the lead and still finished with heart.

“We live and die with our strategy,” said winning trainer Jorge Delgado. “I’d rather finish last than change our strategy, and today our strategy was for him to go to the lead no matter how hot the pace was. That’s when he is at his best and it showed today. There was no other horse that was next to him, so he was able to go by himself and find a rhythm. When he is alone like he was he gets brave.”

Hot Blooded was four lengths farther behind in third and was followed by even-money favorite Good Governance, Cash Now, Mohs, and Belgrano. Winning time for the mile over firm turf was 1:34.59 and Winfromwithin paid $8.40.

Delgado trains Winfromwithin for Lea Farms. The 4-year-old by Into Mischief out of Mr. Greeley mare, Rau Beck, was bred in Kentucky by Mulholland Springs.

* Feast, racing for the first time since being claimed by trainer Gerald Bennett and Winning Stable, won the $100,000 Rumson Stakes by a half-length on Sunday.

It might be more appropriate to say that runner-up Hollis, the odds-on favorite, lost the race. Hollis moved easily to take command of the five-furlong Rumson in midstretch, but appeared to lose his focus, slowing dramatically the final 50 yards after having put away Feast.

Feast was timed in 57.47 over a fast track while ridden by Jose Ferrer. He paid $11.60 to win.