Monday, September 01, 2008

SILENT ROAR IMPRESSIVE IN SAPLING SCORE

OCEANPORT, N.J. * In a day where both stakes races featured 2-year-olds at Monmouth Park, Silent Valor captured the $150,000 Sapling Stakes for colts and geldings as Selva came home on top in the $100,000 Sorority for fillies.

Silent Valor came around rivals before taking command in the lane and drawing off to a length and a half score in the Grade 3 test, stepping the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:10 1/5.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Silent Roar returned $5.80, $3.60 and $2.10 as the favorite in the field of six. Officer Ipod completed a $28.20 exacta and paid $4.40 and $2.80. It was another length and three-quarters back to Rereadthefootnotes, who paid $3 to show.


“He’s a real easy horse to ride,” said winning jockey Stewart Elliott. “He does whatever you ask him to. He’s a push-button type of horse. This colt really has a nice future ahead of him.”

Sunday’s score marked the second in three starts for Silent Valor, a colt by Lion Heart from the Valid Appeal mare Few Choice Words. He has now earned $131,200 for owners Let’s Go Stable.

Trained by David Carroll, Selva stalked the early pace set by Smokin Bayou in the Sorority before powering past that rival near the 1/8th pole and holding off the charge of Fools In Love to post a half-length win. Selva returned $15, $7 and $3.80 and remained unbeaten after stopping the timer in 1:10 3/5 for six furlongs. Fools In Love paid $5.20 to place and $2.60 to show and completed an $82 exacta. Smoking Bayou was another half-length back in third, good for a $2.40 show mutuel.

“I knew this filly had early speed because of the way she won first out at Saratoga,” said winning jockey Eddie Castro. “The plan was to sit close to the early leaders throughout and we ended up getting a good stalking trip. She dug down in deep stretch and ran hard all the way until the end.”

Selva is now a perfect two-for-two. The daughter of Forest Wildcat from the Silver Deputy mare Bayou Mist has earned $97,200 for owners Helen C. Alexander and Helen K. Groves.

Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Monday for a Labor Day card of ten races. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. with first post set for 12:50 p.m.

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