Juvenile stakes highlight Monmouth weekend

Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO.

From a Monmouth Park release

The 2-year-olds will headline the racing action this weekend at Monmouth Park as the racetrack plays host to the Sapling and Sorority Stakes complemented by the BBQ and Craft Beer Festival, a 3-day event running through Labor Day on Monday.

The $100,000 Sapling Stakes, to be contested at a mile, has drawn a field of seven, all going farther than they ever have over the main track.

Leading the list of Sapling entrants is multiple graded stakes placed runner Tip Tap Tapizar (2-1), who goes for trainer Steven Asmussen, a five-time winner of the Sapling. After breaking his maiden by better than three lengths at Churchill Downs on June 11, the colt by Tapizar was third in Churchill’s Bashford Manor (G3) and second in the Saratoga Special (G2) last out on Aug. 14.

Paco Lopez, the runaway leader in Monmouth jockey standings, has the call on Tip Tap Tapizar. The duo will break from post four.

The young fillies will get their turn to shine the next day with the six furlong, $100,000 Sorority Stakes, which will have its 62nd renewal on Monday. Asmussen, who will be looking for his first Sorority win, is back with Made Me Shiver, a runaway debut winner at Churchill this spring before finishing fourth most recently in Saratoga’s Schuylerville (G3) as the favorite.

Antonio Gallardo is slated to pilot Made Me Shiver on Monday.