OCEANPORT, NJ – George Hall’s Money’soncharlotte became a graded stakes winner for the first time in her career, pulling a frontrunning upset in Sunday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park
Taking the lead from the start wasn’t the plan that jockey Paco Lopez and trainer Kelly Breen had in mind before the race, but it was the plan that brought them home first.
Paco told me before the race that he thought there was a lot of speed in the race and he wanted to take back,” said Breen. “Okay. So then she’s in front right after the break, and I said to George, ‘That’s Paco taking back.’ A great win.”
The pair set the pace immediately along the inside through fractions of :23.78, :47.82, 1:11.64, and 1:36.33 while initially being chased by Miss Inclusive. At the top of the stretch, Money’soncharlotte began to pull away while the rest of the field scrambled for next-best.
“I planned on sitting second or third, but when no one else was going, we did,” said Lopez. “She was cruising up front, and when we got to the 1/4 pole, I took a look back and didn’t see anyone coming. I asked her a little bit just to spurt away and she took off.”
In the end, Money’soncharlotte crossed first in 1:42.80, with Eskenformoney charging late to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind in second. Carrumba was another 2 1/2 lengths back third and was followed in order by Power of Snunner, Pleasant Mine, Mo’ Green, Miss Inclusive, and Behrnik’s Bank.
It was Money’soncharlotte’s first victory in her seventh graded stakes attempt, but it was also her third straight trip to the winner’s circle, following an allowance win at Parx to start the year and then the Lady’s Secret Stakes here at Monmouth four weeks ago. Her career record at Monmouth now stands at 5-3-1-0.
“We pointed for this,” said Breen. “Monmouth is her home track, and she’s been training great. She’s good right now, and when a filly is good, she’s really good.”
Money’soncharlotte returned $20 to win, $8 to place, and $4 to show. Eskenformoney brought back $5.80 to place and $3.80 to show, while Carrumba paid $2.80 to show.
