A firming even-money favorite, 'TDN Rising Star' Premier Star (Tapiture) proved far too strong for six other rivals in Wednesday's Jersey Shore S. at Monmouth Park, jogging under the line a very easy winner.
Away fairly from his low draw, Premier Star raced in third with a foothold at the fence and Paco Lopez elected to send his mount through a tight inside spot to take up the running with a little less than a half-mile to race. Comfortably in front on the bend, he kicked further in front in upper stretch and came home a convincing winner over Johnny Ritt (Weigelia). 'TDN Rising Star' Meru (Sky Mesa) was off slowly and lagged towards the rear for the opening half-mile, then made decent stretch progress to round out the trifecta.
A winner of two of three starts and sixth in the GIII Sam F. Davis S. while under the care of Jorge Navarro, Premier Star was third in a June 19 Laurel allowance ahead of a 3 1/2-length success at that level Aug. 6. He was last seen finishing third, four lengths behind undefeated Yaupon (Uncle Mo) in the GII Amsterdam S. at Saratoga Aug. 29.
Premier Star is the seventh black-type winner for Tapiture, who also supplied this year's GIII Monmouth Oaks victress Hopeful Growth. He descends from the family of the late influential Harlan's Holiday and is his dam's last listed produce.
JERSEY SHORE S., $102,000, Monmouth, 10-14, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.61, ft.
1–PREMIER STAR, 118, c, 3, by Tapiture
1st Dam: Letthetigerparty, by Hold That Tiger
2nd Dam: No Need to Party, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Dowager, by Honest Pleasure
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. 'TDN Rising Star' ($105,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP; $100,000 2yo '19 OBSOPN). O-Sonata Stable; B-Charles H Deters (KY); T-Michael J Trombetta; J-Paco Lopez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: GSP, 7-4-0-1, $160,750.
2–Johnny Ritt, 118, g, 3, Weigelia–C J's Little Girl, by Attorney. ($17,000 Ylg '18 EASOCT). O-Cash is King LLC & LC Racing LLC; B-Barbara Wheeler (PA); T-Robert E Reid Jr. $20,000.
3–Meru, 118, c, 3, Sky Mesa–Lady Lavery, by Elusive Quality. ($75,000 Ylg '18 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '19 OBSAPR). O-Colts Neck Stables LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Jorge Duarte Jr. $10,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, NK, 1HF. Odds: 1.10, 16.80, 3.90.
Also Ran: He's Smokin Now, Gandy Dancing, Newstome, As Seen On Tv. Scratched: Bright Dawn, Carey Times, Win Ya Win. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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