OCEANPORT, N.J. * Edward P. Evans’s Dance Hall Days split horses in late stretch to post a neck victory in the $70,000 Serena’s Song Stakes on Sunday at Monmouth Park.
In the $60,000 John McSorley Stakes, Rouse the Cat came home a three quarter length winner and stopped the timer in 1:01.75, besting the old track record of 1:01.91 set just one day prior by Sir Winston.
“She didn’t break too sharp,” said winning jockey Jose Lezcano, “so I took her back off the pace and settled in behind horses. Turning for home I started to ask her and she kicked in pretty well for me. She split horses gamely and dug in.”
The Serena’s Song win was the third in seven starts for Dance Hall Days, a 3-year-old filly by Seeking Daylight from the Capote mare Dance Move. She has now earned $120,300 for her owner.
Trained by Ollie L. Figgins III, Rouse the Cat engaged the early pacesetter Southwestern Heat before putting away that rival inside the 1/8th pole to score the upset win. Rouse the Cat returned $40.20, $12.60 and $6.20 and topped a $147.20 exacta. Our Friend Harvey, the 2-1 favorite, returned $3 to place and $2.20 to show. Lord Robyn finished another length back in third and paid $4 to show.
“It was a really fast trip,” said winning rider Christopher Vanhassel. “I couldn’t believe how fast we were going. I had to lean on him real hard around the turn because we took it so sharply. I got the lead and before I knew we were at the wire already.”
Sunday’s score was the seventh in 13 starts for Rouse the Cat, a 4-year-old by Sir Cat from the Strike Gold mare Crouse Mill. He increased his lifetime earnings to $133,800.
Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, July 16 * first post 12:50 p.m.
