Monba Surprises at Toyota Blue Grass Stakes
With top Kentucky Derby contender Pyro at even money, Monba was able to get by stablemate Cowboy Cal to win the $750,000, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland. In a time of 1:49.71, he earned a trip to the Kentucky Derby (G1) in three weeks at Churchill Downs.”It was beautiful,” said jockey Edgar Prado. “I was a very lucky passenger all the way and through the last sixteenth of a mile when the other horse (Cowboy Cal) was a little tough to get by.” It was Prado’s third victory in the 1 1/8-mile race on Polytrack.
Both horses are trained by Todd Pletcher, who won the 2005 Blue Grass with Bandini, and he became the second trainer in the race’s history to saddle the one-two finishers. Monba is owned by the partnership of Starlight Stable, Paul Saylor, and Donald Lucarelli.
Monba was the 8-1 fourth choice in the Toyota Blue Grass and paid $19.60, $8.60 and $6.60. His record improved to three wins in five starts, and this win increased his lifetime earnings to $577,534, $515,000 coming in graded stakes races. He finished last in his last race after starting poorly and was beaten by almost 40 lengths.
His win against a field which included Pyro and Cool Man was a big upset to most, but he will not be a favorite going into the Running of the Roses. He is perhaps a good pick to show, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on Monba winning any of the Triple Crown legs.
