My Adonis found his way back to the winner's circle for the first time since the Jean Lafitte Stakes last fall when he held off a late charge from favored Macho Macho to win the $100,000 Long Branch Stakes this afternoon at Monmouth Park.
Ridden to victory by Elvis Trujillo, My Adonis broke alertly and raced away to contend for the lead in the 1 1/16th miles race, followed very closely by Window Boy on his inside and by Good Morning Diva on the outside. Macho Macho was racing in fourth early on after being hung wide on the first turn, while Done Talking was content to trail the field of five.
Going down the backstretch, the first four runners were separated by little more than a half-length, even though the pace of :24 1/5 and :47 4/5 wasn't all that slow. Eventually, this foursome was reduced to a threesome -- and then a twosome -- as first Window Boy and then Good Morning Diva dropped out of contention. Done Talking was also failing to mount a challenge, which left My Adonis and Macho Macho to duel for the victory.
Exiting the final turn, My Adonis was asked by Trujillo for run, and the colt responded with a burst of acceleration that left Macho Macho several lengths behind. It appeared as though My Adonis was on his way to an easy victory, but inside the eighth pole, Macho Macho began to close ground with a rush, eating into the front runner's advantage with every stride. However, the wire came just in time for My Adonis, who held off his rival's late run to win by a half-length. The final time was 1:44 4/5.
Window Boy came back to defeat Good Morning Diva for third, while Done Talking trailed. The winner is trained by Kelly Breen and owned by George and Lori Hall.
-Keelerman
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