Front-running Balto Star upsets in United Nations Handicap

OCEANPORT — Anstu Stable’s Balto Star, a 37-1 shot making the most of his inside post, took command at the start and repulsed all challengers in the stretch to score an upset victory in the $750,000 United Nations Handicap (G1) at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

The field was closing in at the wire, but with Jose Velez Jr. urging him on, Balto Star scored by a half-length over The Tin Man, who was a nose in front of Lunar Sovereign. Denon, the favorite in the turf route, finished fifth.

Balto Star raced the mile and three-eighths in 2:12 3/5 to break the course record set in last year’s United Nations ’Cap by With Anticipation. That 8-year-old warrior finished last in this running.

The winner, trained by Todd Pletcher, paid $76, $28.40 and $15 across the board and topped a $422.80 exacta with The Tin Man.

He earned a winner’s prize of $450,000 for his owners, and raised his career bankroll to $1,630,446.

"He stole the race," said Anthony Sciametta Jr., assistant to Pletcher, who trained Balto Star at Monmouth.

"The boss [Pletcher] said to put him on the lead and see how far he can go. That’s what Jose did. This is a very nice horse. He’s been training well here and when he’s at the top of his game he can do whatever you ask him to do."

A delighted Velez said, "They trained this horse perfectly. I was just a passenger today. They let me go early and I had no pressure until the top of the stretch. He rebroke at the 16th pole and just took off again.

"This is definitely the biggest win of my career. The last Grade 1 I won was 20 years ago, the Hialeah Turf Cup on Nijinsky’s Secret."

As for plans with Balto Star, "I’m not sure," Sciametta said. "I don’t think any decision has been made on that yet, but the boss would certainly know better than I would."

Balto Star now has a record of 9-6-1 from 27 career starts with the U.N., his first grade 1 victory. As a 3-year-old, Balto Star won the Spiral Stakes (G2) and the Arkansas Derby (G2), both on dirt.

In the $50,000 Lamplighter Stakes for 3-year-olds, Claiborne Farm’s Stroll, confidently ridden by Jerry Bailey, took command in midstretch and drew off to score by nearly three lengths over Purely Classic.

Stroll, the 1-2 favorite in the field of nine, raced the mile and a 16th over a firm turf course in 1:40 and paid $3, $2.10 and $2.10 across the board. Purely Classic, a clear second over Ali’s Pride, completed the $8.20 exacta.

"When the gates opened I got him to relax off the pace and settle down until we hit the stretch," Bailey said. "He was the best today."

It was the second straight victory and first stakes score for Stroll, a Pulpit colt who won his last at Belmont.

Saturday’s Long Branch Breeders’ Cup taking shape

The Long Branch Breeders’ Cup Stakes will once again serve as the last prep for horses in search of an invite for the $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 3.

Since 1990 all but two winners of the Long Branch went on to try the Haskell, three of them finishing second.

This Saturday’s $100,000 contest is expected to draw a few stakes winners, along with a few up-and-comers hoping to continue their climb up the 3-year-old ladder.

Among the stakes winners are SkySoldier, who took the Private Terms at Pimlico in March and most recently the Restoration here. The other stakes winner is Yo, a winner of the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes for Pennsylvania breeds as a 2-year-old.

While that pair has captured stakes already, perhaps favoritism will go to either Christine’s Outlaw, third in the Arkansas Derby (G2) and runner-up last out in the Leonard Richards (G3), or to Grand Hombre, an undefeated colt from the Dennis Manning barn who is still considered a possible for the race.

Others considering the Grade 3 mile and a 16th Long Branch include Newfound Love from the Todd Pletcher barn and In Hand, a Phil Oliver trainee.

Backstretch Appreciation Day Picnic set for Monday

The 12th annual Backstretch Appreciation Day Picnic at Monmouth Park will be held on Monday, with a rain date of Tuesday.

Co-chairmen Dan Perlsweig and Kevin Weldon said they expect more than 2,000 adults and children to attend the picnic, which is open to all backstretch personnel and their families.

Once again, picnic food will feature hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans and corn on the cob, with watermelon for dessert. There will be beer on tap for adults and unlimited soft drinks.

There will be games for both adults and children, and prizes galore, including T-shirts, mugs, stuffed animals, sporting equipment, candy, fishing gear and gift certificates. Children will be entertained by clowns, face painters and magicians, and the Jack Russell Terrier races will again be featured.

The picnic starts at noon and runs through 3 p.m. on Monday.

Bravo on top in search of ninth Monmouth riding title

Nine riding titles, that’s the magic number for Joe Bravo this year at Monmouth Park, and the Long Branch native appears poised to earn his ninth title and break the old record of eight titles that he already holds.

Through Sunday, Bravo has 46 wins, 19 more than Jeremy Rose. Tied for third in the jocks’ race are Julian Pimentel and Chuck C. Lopez, each with 24 wins, three more than Jose C. Ferrer, who rounds out the top five.

Sitting sixth in the rider’s race with 19 wins is Jose Velez Jr., winner of the Horseman of the Week award after going wire-to-wire in Saturday’s $750,000 United Nations Handicap atop Balto Star.

The trainers contest has Mark Shuman showing the way with 21 victories, nine more than Ben Perkins Jr. Tied for third are Linda Rice and Tim Hills with 11 winners each, two more than Jimmy Ryerson.

The owners race has a runaway leader in Michael Gill, who has 27 trips to the winner’s circle. Tied for second with six wins apiece are the trio of New Farm, E&G Stable and Eddie Broome.

Summer X-Games this Sunday at Monmouth Park

The Summer X-Games Demonstration, presented by Mountain Dew, rolls into Monmouth Park this Sunday with professional inline skaters and freestyle bicyclists demonstrating their high-flying energetic skills on a 40-foot inverted skating ramp.

The X-Games shows will run from noon to 3:30 p.m. and will be accompanied by music from BBO 98.5 FM.

Gates open at Monmouth Park at 11:30 a.m., with first race post time set for 12:55 p.m.