OZONE PARK, NY – JP Racing’s Perfect Munnings led a Todd Pletcher-trained exacta across the wire in Sunday’s $100,000 Rego Park Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.
Jockey Manny Franco piloted the 7/2 third choice to victory by 2 lengths over the pacesetting Storm Shooter, completing the 6 1/2-furlong fast dirt sprint in 1:20.24.
“I was really happy stalking the two horses,” Franco said. “When I asked my horse to go before the 1/4 pole, he started running for me.”
The early pressurer Lookin for Trouble held on by a nose over the even-money favorite Uno to prevent Pletcher from sweeping the trifecta.
Windy Nations, Blue Gator, New York One, and Halpert completed the order of finish.
Perfect Munnings’ win was his second straight following a strong debut score over the local lawn on November 29. Purchased for $50,000 as a yearling, the son of Munnings has now earned $93,500.
“We were pretty optimistic because of the way he breezes on the dirt,” Pletcher assistant Byron Hughes said. “He showed that ability today. He had a good post and Manny kept him in the clear and he ran well. Obviously, he’s won on turf and dirt. We’ll keep him up here for now and then we can go back to turf if we have to”
Perfect Munnings returned $9.60 to win, $5.20 to place, and $4.10 to show. Storm Shooter brought back $6.60 to place and $4.70 to show, while Lookin for Trouble paid $8.60 to show.
