The Grade 3 Jersey Shore Stakes is a six furlong sprint for three-year-olds at Monmouth Park on July 3. A very strong field of seven colts and geldings will compete for the $90,000 winners share of the $150,000 purse.
Typically a field with only seven horses won’t provide much betting value, but when you get a race like this where any of them can win it is certainly a race worth playing. Let’s take a look at the field.
Zero Rate Policy (Trippi x Unititled Song by Unbridled’s Song) Speedster took the Rumson last out by an easy 4 3/4 lengths for trainer Terri Pompay. He is a perfect two for two at Monmouth and should be gunning for the lead from the rail. Carlos Marquez has got a big shot on this gelding. So far he has done everything asked of him, but this will be the acid test. He won’t lack backers at 3-1.
Parent’s Honor (Elusive Quality x Dami by Dynaformer) Seems to have found his calling in the sprint division after an easy seven length romp in an optional claimer at Delaware last out. It’s hard to go against trainer Anthony Dutrow who is a perfect four for four at Monmouth this meet. Jockey Jeremy Rose knows his way around a horse too. This is a horse I might consider in another race, but at 4-1 in this highly competitive event I will take a pass.
C J Russell (El Corredor x Miss Gibson County by Winrightt) His debut was smashing when he won going this distance at Churchill Downs. He looked even better second time out when cruising for a 1 1/4 length win over the highly regarded Cornpiper. I really like his chances to be a multiple graded winner, but I’m not sure it will start here. The pace will be contentious and I have a feeling he gets burned up under jockey Alan Garcia.
Royal Currier (Red Bullet x Top Of The League by Lite The Fuse) Gelding won his turf debut last out and before that was a close second to Little Drama at Parx. He likes the surface here at Monmouth, but the Patracia Farro trainee looks to be in deep at 8-1. Angel Serpa gets the call to ride.
Flashpoint (Pomeroy x Two Punch Lil by Two Punch) His grand sire passed away last week and perhaps the scary fast colt got his gray color from him. He was last seen backing up badly in the Preakness. That shouldnt bother anyone though as it was clearly out of his range. He looked like a freak in both of his sprint races and if that form comes back he will be tough to topple at 5-2 for trainer Wesley Ward and jockey Cornelio Velasquez.
Cal Nation (Distorted Humor x She’s A Winner by A.P. Indy) Ran to his low odds last out when taking an allowance race by 5 1/2 lengths going this distance at Belmont. Before that he failed as the favorite in the Jerome where he ended up a well beaten eighth. He gets 6 pounds on the favorite. His debut win by seven lengths was epic. It’s hard to ignore a Todd Pletcher horse at 5-1, especially considering how good this colt could be. Chris Decarlo gets the ride.
Chipshot (Peace Rules x Chispiski by Appealing Skier) Ran huge to be second to Vengeful Wildcat last out in the Chick Lang. On his best day he can compete here, but winning will be tough. Steve Asmussen trains and Elvis Trujillo will be in the irons.
My top pick to win the Jersey Shore is Cal Nation. He is a horse with a lot of potential that I can envision whipping this field or even running fourth. With so much quality stacked in this race nothing will shock me. With this colt I get a good price at 5-1 and I’m backing ace trainer Todd Pletcher in a stakes race. That’s never a bad move.
Playing $20 to win on him over at TVG will earn the chance for a VIP track experience at a place like Del Mar, Monmouth or Woodbine. The best part? All expenses are handled by TVG. This is on top of a generous sign up bonus. What are you waiting for? Check them out by clicking the picture above or link in this post and bet Cal Nation in the Jersey Shore!
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