Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Tom Luicci/Monmouth at the Meadowlands
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Sea Maiden survived a three-horse battle for the lead through the opening-half mile, saving enough in reserve for jockey Paco Lopez, to score a 1¼-length victory in Friday night’s featured $52,500 optional allowance for state-breds during the Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet.
The winning time for the five furlongs over a turf course listed as “firm” was :58.96.
Trained by Rory Huston, Sea Maiden had the outside path during a contentious opening engagement with Delightful Ava and Amazing Graces Joy through a first quarter in :22.72 and a half that was timed in :46.51.
Sea Maiden, a 3-year-old daughter of Sea Wizard owned by Colonial Farms, posted her second win in 12 career starts. She paid $6.80 to win.
Perspicacious rallied from far back to get second in the six-horse field of fillies and mares, 3 and up, a neck better than Amazing Graces Joy. But Amazing Graces Joy was disqualified from third to fourth for interference in the stretch with Delightful Ava.
Delightful Ava finished fourth but was placed third as a result of the disqualification.
Weather permitting, racing will continue at the Meadowlands Saturday night with a six-race all-turf card. First race post time is 7 p.m.
The Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet runs Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 14.
