OCEANPORT, N.J. * Barbara and G. Chris Coleman’s Coli Bear wore down pacesetter My Sister Sue in the shadow of the wire to post a half-length victory in the $70,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.
In the $60,000 Anderson Fowler Stakes, Chitoz took command at the break and was never headed as he equaled the track record of 1:01.85 for 5 ½ furlongs on turf.
Coli Bear, trained by Bruce Levine, covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:09 3/5 and returned $11, $5 and $3.40 and topped a $45.20 exacta. My Sister Sue returned $4.20 to place and $3 to show. Princess Janie was another 5 ¼ lengths back in third, and paid $4.40.
Sunday’s win marked the 11th in 28 career starts for Coli Bear, a 5-year-old mare by Formal Dinner from the Crafty Prospector mare Crafty Marian. She has now earned $410,070.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Chitoz carved out fractions of :21 4/5 and :43 3/5 before stopping the timer in course record time over the firm turf. Sent off the 7-5 choice in the field of six 3-year-olds, Chitoz returned $4.80, $2.80 and $2.10. It was a length and a half back to Dicey D J who paid $2.80 and $2.20 and completed a $10.40 exacta. Sheer Faith was another 2 ½ lengths back in third, good for a $3 show mutuel.
“He went around that turf course faster than anyone has before,” said winning rider Joe Bravo, “so that tells you he ran big this afternoon. Mr. Sciametta (assistant trainer Anthony) had him ready to roll today. He did a great job with this horse.”
A colt by Forest Wildcat from the Affirmed mare Wichitoz, Chitoz now sports a record of 3-1-1 from ten starts and earnings of $142,988 for owners Wertheimer and Frere.
Live racing returns to Monmouth Park on Wednesday, June 25 * first post 12:50 p.m.