Money Monster the real treasure yesterday
Published:Monday | February 8, 2021 | 12:32 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
MONEY MONSTER made all the running with claiming rider Youville Pinnock breaking fast from his rail draw, carrying a featherweight 109lb, before repelling even-money favourite AWESOME TREASURE inside the last half-furlong of the eighth event yesterday.
A fifth-place finisher behind KING ARTHUR in the Jamaica Derby in October, Fitzroy Glispie-trained MONEY MONSTER returned off a three-month lay-up, three Saturdays ago, placing fourth behind imported EXCESSIVE FORCE and AWESOME TREASURE at seven and a half furlongs.
Considered a rising star as a two-year-old, placing third behind WOW WOW and TOMOHAWK in the 2019 Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, MONEY MONSTER’s victory was his third career win, running among rivals such as COLD PURSUIT and BIG BIG DADDY, winners of three events.
Having won three races, the Casual Trick- She’s Traditional offspring will report heavier at the level next time out, renewing rivalry with AWESOME TREASURE whose United States-bred status allows her to race in the group as a winner of one event.
Oshane Nugent extended his lead atop the jockeys’ standings with a two-timer, opening and closing the nine-race card aboard IT’S ALL I and MAGICAL MOOD, respectively.
Nugent, a claiming jockey, took his tally to 13 wins, three clear of Anthony Thomas, last year’s co-champion with Dane Nelson.
Racing continues at the weekend with a Saturday meet before a now rare Wednesday race-day the following week.