Mominou Wires Caress

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Entering the race as a longshot, Mominou flew to the front and never looked back in Saturday’s $200,000 Caress Stakes at Saratoga. This was the first career stakes win for the three-year-old daughter of Congrats who now has two wins in four starts in 2019.

Breaking from the gate at odds of  29-1, Monimou shot straight out of the gate and into the lead. She was followed closely by Broadway Run and Factorofwon and the even-money post-time favorite Morticia sat just back off of the leaders while they sped through fractions of :21.94 and :44.50. Factorofwon was the first to put pressure on Monimou as they rocketed around the turn but the real challenge came from Fire Key who flew three-wide into the stretch and threatened to fly right up to the lead. Despite their best efforts, nobody could match the speedy Monimou who crossed the line 1 1/4 lengths the best. Fire Key finished second followed by Broadway Run and Morticia in a dead heat for third.

“I worked this filly last week and she worked so great,” said jockey Kendrick Carmouche. “Jimmy gave me the option of how I want to ride her and I figured the best way we could win was to take the race to them out of the gate. We broke good and she never relented. She was ready the whole way.”

“We went. I was going to go for it because I initially looked at it and thought there’d be some speed in the race, which there was. But when I looked at it again, I said, ‘she could be the main speed.’ The only shot we were going to have was just to go for it,” said winning trainer Jimmy Toner. “When they turn into the lane, you always [say], ‘here they come.’ But she had another gear and kicked in again. I was really proud of her.”

Monimou returned $61.50 to win, $22.20 to place, and $6.10 to show. Fire Key brought back $7.80 to place and $3.30 to show, while Broadway Run paid $2.20 to show and Morticia paid $2.10 to show.

Scratched: Mrs. Ramona G