Pocus Hocus Gains Focus Just in Time

Susan and John Moore's Pocus Hocus wore down pacesetter Chrusciki in the final strides to capture the $70,000 Monmouth Beach Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday by a head.

Ridden by Eibar Coa, the 6-year-old mare by Quiet American out of the Al Hattab mare Cadabra covered the 1 1/16 mile in 1:44 1/5 and returned $7, $4.60 and $2.60. Chrusciki completed a $56.20 exacta. Final Round, the race favorite, was another 4 1/4 lengths back in third.

"It was gratifying to see that she still has something left," said trainer James Jerkens. "Before the race, I just told Eibar not to use her up early, let her lay where she wants to lay, then let her go."

In winning the Monmouth Beach Stakes, Pocus Hocus boosted her lifetime bankroll to $329,250 and scored her sixth win in 25 career starts.

(Chart, Equibase)