A Good 'Summer' Day at Monmouth Park

At first glance, one might jump to the conclusion that Summer Front and Summer Applause are related racehorses. Both are four-year-old Kentucky breds, and both have run up impressive resumes at the track. They’re not actually closely related, as Summer Front is a War Front colt out of the dam Rose of Summer, while Summer Applause is a filly by Harlan’s Holiday out of Summer Exhibition. What they do have in common, however, is that both won a stake race this weekend at Monmouth Park, both under jockey Joe Bravo.

Handy Lady Secret win for 'Applause

First in the $75,000 Lady Secret Stakes for three-year-old and up fillies and mares going a mile and a sixteenth, Summer Applause faced only three others and went off as the 1-2 favorite. Stalking close to the pace through the first half mile, Bravo sent Summer Applause three wide coming out of the final turn and she easily moved to the lead and drew away, coasting at the end to a 1 ¼ length victory over Royal Lahaina. Summer Applause now has six wins and two seconds in 13 lifetime starts.

'Front shows patience in Grade III Cliff Hanger

Later came Summer Front’s turn to visit the winners’ circle after taking the $100,000 Grade III Cliff Hanger Stakes, also at 1 1/16 miles, but on the turf. Also going off as the even money favorite, Summer Front ran at the back of the six-horse field to the top of a stretch, and then found a hole when Bravo guided him to the four-path. He accelerated to the front, to win by a widening 1 ¼ lengths over Tune Me In, with Howe Great third. Summer Front has won seven of 13 in his career, including three grade III events.