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Dylan Davis Wastes Little Time Winning First Day Back From Injury

Idle since suffering a broken clavicle at Aqueduct Racetrack on March 20, jockey Dylan Davis didn't waste any time finding the winner's circle on his first day back riding on Saturday at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

In his third mount since his return, the New York-based Davis guided Bottle Rocket Man to victory for Chad Brown in the seventh race.

“It's a mix of emotions – some relief, some excitement. It felt great,” said Davis. “First day back, I was anxious to get back in the winner's circle as quickly as I could and it felt great. To do it for Chad Brown is really special, too.”

Davis, who has 819 career victories, said for now he is “riding both tracks (Belmont and Monmouth Park).”

“Wherever I can get some mounts and get some winners,” he said. “My plans are fluid right now. It depends on which mounts I get at both tracks.

“But it feels so good to get that first one out of the way after being out for so long.”

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Wind Of Change Gives J.C. Diaz Jr. First Stateside Stakes Win In Mr. Prospector

Ever since Saffie Joseph Jr. took over the training for Wind of Change two starts ago he was convinced the 6-year-old was better sprinting six furlongs than going longer, as the horse had been doing.

Saturday's $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., validated that belief.

Wind of Change, with jockey J. C. Diaz Jr. making his Monmouth Park debut, splashed to an easy 6¼-length victory in the 16th running of the Mr. Prospector Stakes, covering the six furlongs over a sloppy track in a sharp 1:09.60.

It marked the first stakes victory in the United States for Wind of Change, who started his career in Brazil.

“It looked like he made the lead within a few jumps and once he made the lead I wasn't worried because he's not the fastest horse from the gate,” said Joseph. “So I felt pretty comfortable once he made the lead. By the quarter pole he had a little pressure but he's the kind of horse that is going to stay the six furlongs strongly. I felt he would finish strongly and he did.”

A winner of eight of 21 career starts, Wind of Change has seven wins and two seconds in 10 starts over wet tracks – numbers that gave Diaz some pre-race confidence. The 20-year-old native of Puerto Rico is the son of legendary Puerto Rican jockey Juan C. Diaz, who has captured the past 20 riding titles at Camarero Racetrack.

“I wasn't too worried about the sloppy track because I know this horse is good in the slop,” Diaz said. “That gives you confidence when you see that form. He (Joseph) told me the horse has some early speed but he isn't always quick away from the gate. But he got into stride easily and made the lead on his own. He stayed strong the whole race.”

Sent off at 2-1 in the field of six, Wind of Change had few anxious moments, tripping the timer at :22.34 for the opening quarter and :45.14 to the half. Jersey-bred Golden Brown rallied for second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Always Sunshine.

Joseph tried Wind of Change at six furlongs for his first start in his care, with the second-place finish in an optional $62,000 claimer at Gulfstream Park on April 24 serving as more proof that the distance was more the horse's strength. He was beaten just three-quarters of a length that day – and had been 0-for-4 at six furlongs until this victory.

The off going proved to be an added advantage for a horse that relishes a wet track.

“You always want a fast track but if a horse can handle an off track the way this one does you don't worry about it as much,” said Joseph, who is stabled at Monmouth Park for the first time. “I'm just thankful the horse showed up. He has been training like a really good horse. He's a deserving stakes winner.

“We're off to a good start at Monmouth. Fingers crossed it will continue.”

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It’s A Gamble Overtakes Indian Lake To Win Off-The-Turf Jersey Derby

Even though It's A Gamble had tried the dirt just once in his eight-race career prior to Friday night, trainer Kelly Breen said he wasn't concerned when the Jersey Derby was moved from the grass to the main track at Monmouth Park due to rain.

It's easy to see why.

It's A Gamble found a seam along the rail and was able to reel in loose frontrunner Indian Lake at the sixteenth pole, going on to a 1 ¾-length victory in the 78th running of the Jersey Derby, the $100,000 feature race at the Oceanport, N.J., track's opening card.

Sent off at 9-2 in a field of seven 3-year-olds, It's A Gamble covered the mile over a fast-sealed track 1:40.70.

Indian Lake, who looked to be on his way to victory in mid-stretch, was 8 ¾ lengths in front of third-place finisher Spectatorless.

“Even though this was just his second start on the dirt he has trained well on it,” said Breen, who captured his third Monmouth Park training title last year. “So I wasn't all that concerned when it came off the turf. Everything set up for him. The rail opened up and he was able to find his way through.

“Since we shipped him from Florida to New York — his last race on the grass at Aqueduct was really nice — he has been training well. I believe that he's a nice horse – dirt, turf, whatever.”

A son of English Channel–Yes It's Pink by Yes It's True was bred and is owned by Ron Lombardi (Mr Amore Stable). The New York-bred colt was ridden by Jose Baez.

“The rail really opened up for me,” said Baez. “I was just sitting there waiting to see what was going on. I waited long enough that the rail opened and I didn't have to go around horses. I was a little worried about (Indian Lake) getting away from me. That's probably why I asked my horse to go when I did.”

It's A Gamble paid $11.20 to win in recording his third victory in nine career starts. Seven of those starts have been on the turf.

Racing resumes at Monmouth Park on Saturday with a 12-race card. First race post time is 12:15 p.m.

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Haskell Tickets Go On Sale June 6

Tickets for Monmouth Park's signature event, the $1-million GI TVG.com Haskell S. slated for Saturday, July 17, will go on sale Sunday, June 6 at 11:30 a.m. Once available, tickets can be purchased online at www.seatgeek.com/monmouth or by calling (732) 571-5563. Haskell tickets will also be sold at the Reserved Seats booth on the second floor of the Grandstand on live racing days. Admission on Haskell Day is $20 for the Grandstand and $30 for the Clubhouse. Self parking will be $20. A Dining Club buffet is available for $200, while reservations in the Lady's Secret Cafe (with a pre-fixed menu) are $125. The picnic area buffet will cost $50. Box seats for parties of four, six and eight people are also available in the Clubhouse and Grandstand for Haskell Day. They range from $240 to $640 for a box for eight people in the Clubhouse.Seats in the Grand Mezzanine 1 & 2 are available for $50 and in the Grandstand Mezzanine 3 through 5F for $45. Grandstand Balcony 6 tickets are available for $35, Grandstand Balcony 7 through 9 tickets go for $40 and Grandstand Balcony 10 through 18 seats are $35. All tickets include admission. First post on Haskell day will be 12 noon.

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