Upsets Continue at Monmouth, Key Lory Takes Oceanport

The upsets at Monmouth Park Sunday continued in the $100,000 Oceanport Handicap (gr. IIIT) when Key Lory held off North East Bound and 11 others in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. Key Lory, racing under 10 less pounds than the runner-up, completed the distance in 1:40.39 on a firm course, a half-length ahead of even-money favorite North East Bound. Sent off at nearly 14-1, Key Lory returned $29.20, $9.80, and $5.60 for the win.

Key Lory last won a stakes race in 1999, when he defeated With Anticipation by a head in the $50,000 Creme Fraiche Stakes on the Meadowlands' main track, setting a course record for 1 3/16 miles run in 1:53.88. The 7-year-old son of Key to the Mint -- Halory, by Halo, also finished second in both the 1999 Broad Brush Stakes and the 2000 renewal of the Creme Fraiche, the latter of which was won by With Anticipation. In his only race this year, Key Lory finished seventh in a Monmouth Park allowance race on the main track, coming home 13 lengths behind the winner in the 1 1/8-mile race. Key Lory earned $60,000 for the win, his seventh in 18 career races.

Key Lory is trained by Dennis Manning for owner Mack Fehsenfeld and was ridden to victory by Charles Lopez. Elmendorf Farm bred him in Kentucky.

Key Lory set the pace while pressured by Lightning Paces, then brushed off that rival in the stretch before holding off the late challenge of the favorite. Crash Course finished third, a half-length behind North East Bound and three-quarter lengths ahead of Cat Scan. Tubrok, Ready to Roll, Cogburn, Night Patrol, Mi Narrow, Moorish Prince, Runspastum, El Mirasol, and Lightning Paces completed the order of finish.

North East Bound returned $3.40 and $2.60 and completed the $91.20 exacta. Crash Course paid $3.80 to show. (Chart, Equibase)