Past champion Monomoy Girl heads the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont Park
Past champion Monomoy Girl heads the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont Park
By the NY Hot List Staff // Friday, July 10, 2020
Past champion Monomoy Girl is expected to face four rivals in the $150,000 Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont Park on Saturday. The one-turn mile is the second step in the comeback of the daughter of Tapizar who has a career record of 12: 10-2-0 with earnings of more than $3 million.
The 5-year-old chestnut mare was an easy winner of an allowance race at Churchill Downs on May 18 which came after an 18-month layoff following her victory in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). That win secured her the Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old filly.
“We thought about the [Grade 1 Ogden Phipps [on June 13], but after such a long layoff it was a little quick back,” co-owner Sol Kumin added. “She’s giving all the right signs and at this point she has to stay sound and do it. Saturday will be the next step. She went to allowance company now she’s in a Grade 2 and we’ll progress from there.”
The long-term goal for Monomoy Girl is an attempt at a repeat victory in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on November 7 at Keeneland Race Course.
“I think the ultimate goal is the Breeders’ Cup and the shot at another championship,” said Dubb. “There’s no reason to stretch her out to two turns in her second start in 18 months. This seems like the logical spot. I’ve seen her and physically she looks fantastic. She’s large, she’s powerful, and she’s beautiful.”
Here is analysis of the Ruffian which is carded as race 4 out of 10 with post time scheduled for 2:55pm ET.
(5) Monomoy Girl is as close to a sure thing in the Ruffian (G2) as there is in horse racing. This field of five, which could end up being only four, does not measure up to this past Champion in any way. Already there is no show wagering. (4) Always Shopping won the Gazelle (G2) last year and this year caught a sloppy track and then tried the turf both of which were throw outs. (1) Piedi Bianchi gets blinkers back on which she successfully wore early in her career. She won two races during the winter Aqueduct meeting including a stake. (2) Mother Mother came to New Yok for Bob Baffert and ran fourth in a stake at Belmont Park on a muddy track. She is a past stakes winner.
Full card picks and analysis from the New York Hot List team for this Saturday card are available free of charge on this website.