Elysea’s World Circles $100,000 Violet Stakes

OCEANPORT, NJ – Less than an hour after breaking the single-meet wins record at Saratoga, trainer Chad Brown’s Elysea’s World circled the field in the far turn en route to taking Saturday’s $100,000 Violet Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Sent postward as the heavy 1/2 favorite under Joe Bravo, Elysea’s World was content to settle at the rear while her former stablemate Bishop’s Pond set the early pace through splits of :24.78, :48.75, and 1:12.60. Under pressure from Viva Vegas down the back and into the far turn, Bishop’s Pond began to weaken, while at the back, Elysea’s World was ramping up for a big run and began passing foes along the outside. Hitting the top of the stretch full of run, Elysea’s World poked her nose in front, but a game Viva Vegas dug in and tried her best to hold the bettors’ choice at bay. Her efforts proved fruitless, however, as Elysea’s World pulled away in the final 1/16 to take the 9-furlong turf event by 3/4 of a length in a final time of 1:48.06.

“It’s really a pleasure to deal with good horses,” Bravo said. “She was in full control the whole race. She left there easy and comfortable and it just kind of made my job easy. The hardest part about this game is getting them happy and Chad Brown has done a great job getting her happy. You can see she is just enjoying herself out there. Horses like this make it fun for me, too.”

Bishop’s Pond was able to secure third by a 1/2-length over Special Event, while both Celestial Insight and Armoire failed to fire and completed the order of finish. Care Lady and Lift Up were scratched.

Elysea’s World’s win was her second straight at Monmouth Park following a similar triumph in the Grade 3 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes last month and improved her lifetime record to 21-6-5-3. The 5-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Champs Elysees has now earned $562,383 for owners Sheep Pond Partners and All Pro Racing.

“She ran great,” said Brown, who watched the race from Saratoga. “Joe rode a terrific race and she responded nicely.”

Elysea’s World returned $3 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.10 to show. Viva Vegas brought back $6.60 to place and $3.60 to show, while Bishop’s Pond paid $3.80 to show.