OCEANSIDE, NJ – The New Jersey-bred Horologist returned home to her favorite track in style, winning Saturday’s $250,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park.
Horologist was made the 7/2 fourth choice as she exited post 11 under “Jersey” Joe Bravo and raced off the pace in a close stalking position. Up front, Wrong Color dueled heads apart with Our Super Freak through opening fractions of :23.64 and :47.09.
Rounding the far turn under a full head of steam, Horologist ranged up alongside Our Super Freak and soon kicked away in the lead.
Horologist made her first start for new trainer Bill Mott a winning one, crossing 2 lengths clear in a final time of 1:43.48 for the 1 1/16-mile fast dirt route.
“I just didn’t want to lose ground going around the first turn,” Bravo said. “I was so scared of getting away slowly and getting carried 10-wide. I was able to breathe and relax a lot better when I was able to fit her in and get over and there were only two horses in front of us. At times, she was pulling me. Nothing to say, other than she ran well.”
Our Super Freak remained 5 1/2 lengths clear of the 3/2 favorite Royal Flag in third. Sweet Sami D, Queen Nekia, Vault, She’s a Julie, Wrong Color, Flat Awesome Jenny, and Cloud Charmer completed the order of finish.
Gotham Gala was scratched.
Horologist’s win was her first since last August’s Monmouth Oaks (G3) and improved her record to 17-6-2-3, with 5 of those victories coming from 6 starts over the local strip. The 4-year-old Gemologist filly has now earned $564,439 for co-owners There’s A Chance Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing, and Abbondanza Racing.
Following a third-place finish in the Cotillion Stakes (G1), Horologist transferred to trainer Richard Baltas but failed to replicate her Jersey Shore success, hitting the board once in 5 starts.
“Sometimes, the horse goes to something new that they’re not familiar with,” said Cameron Beatty of There’s A Chance Stable. “It’s all a risk. Me and my partners took the risk. We regrouped and we decided to bring her back to Monmouth Park. … She just loves it here. I love it here. It’s unbelievable that she’s a multiple graded stakes winner now as a Jersey-bred. Just a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.”
Horologist returned $9.40 to win, $5.40 to place, and $3.60 to show. Our Super Freak brought back $20.60 to place and $6.60 to show, while Royal Flag paid $2.80 to show.
