Wind of Change Romps in Sloppy Mr. Prospector

OCEANPORT, NJ – Daniel Alonso’s Wind of Change made every pole a winning one en route to taking Saturday’s sloppy edition of the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park.

“I wasn’t too worried about the sloppy track because I know this horse is good in the slop,” said winning rider J.C. Diaz Jr. “That gives you confidence when you see that form. (Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.) told me the horse has some early speed, but he isn’t always quick away from the gate. But he got into stride easily and made the lead on his own. He stayed strong the whole race.”

Golden Brown, Always Sunshine, Royal Urn, Absentee, and the 2/1 favorite Awesome Anywhere completed the order of finish in the 6-furlong event.

Croatian and Substantial were trainer scratches.

A 6-year-old Brazilian-bred intact son of Forestry became a stakes winner for the first time and improved his career record to 21-8-4-1 with $184,225 earned.

“It looked like he made the lead within a few jumps, and once he made the lead, I wasn’t worried because he’s not the fastest horse from the gate,” said Joseph Jr. “I felt pretty comfortable once he made the lead. By the 1/4 pole, he had a little pressure, but he’s the kind of horse that is going to stay the 6 furlongs strongly. I felt he would finish strongly and he did. You always want a fast track, but if a horse can handle an off track the way this one does, you don’t worry about it as much. I’m just thankful the horse showed up. He has been training like a really good horse. He’s a deserving stakes winner.”