Gunsmith Stables' Our Fantene gained command around the far turn and held off an inside bid by odds-on favorite Eternal Grace to win Sunday's $115,000 Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park by a head.
Ridden by Eddie Castro, the New Jersey-bred Our Fantene covered the six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:10 2/5 and returned $25.60, $6 and $3.20. Eternal Grace paid $2.60 and $2.40 and completed a $66.80 exacta. Lia's Luck was another 4 ¾ lengths back in third, good for a $3.40 show payoff. Bovell Road was fourth, with Blue Carnation the last of the five 2-year-old fillies in the Sorority.
"We've always been very high on her, and she did everything right today," said winning trainer Cal Lynch. "We won the 2001 Futurity at the Meadowlands with this filly's dam (Our Cozzette). I'm not sure where we'll go with her just yet. We'll see how she comes out of this one first and then decide."
A daughter of 1997 Haskell winner Touch Gold, Our Fantene's Sorority win marked her second trip to the winner's circle in as many tries, and she has now banked $87,000 for her connections.
Blue Sparkler Stakes
In the $100,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes, My Lucky Free took command easily turning for home before drawing off to a three-length score after stepping the six furlongs in 1:09 flat.
Trained by Cam Gambolati and ridden by Joe Bravo, My Lucky Free returned $3, $2.10, and $2.10 and topped a $9.40 exacta. Summer Sting rallied for second and paid $2.60 and $2.40. Gipsy Limits was another 3 ¼ lengths back in third and paid $3.80.
A 3-year-old filly by Mazel Trick from the Crafty Prospector mare Fair Margarita, My Lucky Free improved her record to 5-1-0 from nine starts and increased her earnings to $218,883 for owners Runnin Cardinal and C.E. Glasscock.
(Chart, Equibase)