By Tom LaMarra
Adam Staple and Jalin Stable’s Page McKenney, who is closing in on $2 million in earnings, will attempt to run his record to two-for-two in the grade III, $100,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes, second of five races in the MATCH Series 3-Year-Olds and Up Long—Dirt Division June 30 at Monmouth Park.
The Iselin, which drew a field of seven, is one of four stakes on the Saturday program at the New Jersey racetrack. Probable post time for the Iselin is set for 4:23 p.m. EDT.
Page McKenney wins Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park/EQUIPHOTO
Page McKenney, an 8-year-old Pennsylvania-bred gelding, won the grade III Salvator Mile at Monmouth in late May. That gave him 10 points in the MATCH Series division. The Pimlico Race Course-based gelding is trained by Mary Eppler and will be ridden by Horacio Karamanos, his regular jockey.
Eppler also owns and trains Enough Is Enough, who drew post 1 in the Iselin. Paco Lopez, who tops the Monmouth jockey standings, is named to ride.
The favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Iselin could be Loooch Racing Stables and Imaginary Stables’ Imperative, another 8-year-old gelding who hasn’t raced since April 2017, when he won the grade II Charles Town Classic. Imperative has a solid series of works heading into the Monmouth race for trainer Robert Hess Jr.
After the Iselin, the MATCH Series division continues with the grade III, $150,000 Monmouth Cup at Monmouth July 29, the $100,000 DeBunda President’s Cup at Parx Racing Aug. 25, and the $200,000 Presque Isle Mile at Presque Isle Downs & Casino Sept. 16.
Jim Dunleavy of DRF on MATCH Series standings heading into Iselin.