Monaasib took command a furlong from home and withstood a late challenge from Woods N Water to win the John Henry Stakes at Evangeline Downs by a neck on Saturday, 1 July.
It was the first Stakes victory for the lightly raced son of Medaglia d’Oro, who improved his record to four wins and a second in nine career starts.
A field of 11 broke from the starting gate for the 8.5-furlong turf contest, with Monaasib unhurried and settled near the rear of the field through the early stages of the race. Monaasib began to pick off rivals entering the far turn and was in a prominent position as the field entered the homestretch. Monaasib took the lead with an eighth of a mile to run, then held off the late challenge of Woods N Water to win by a neck.
Monaasib was bred in Kentucky by Shadwell Farm and is out of Baragah, a winning daughter of Awesome Again. Baragah is out of Golden Apples, Champion Turf Mare and winner of the G1 Beverly D. Stakes, G1 Yellow Ribbon and G1 Del Mar Oaks. Golden Apples is also the dam of Graded Stakes winner Habaya (G3 Miesque Stakes) and Graded Stakes-placed Hatheer.
Medaglia d’Oro has now sired 173 Stakes winners including 91 that have struck at Group or Graded level. They include Hong Kong’s two-time Horse of the Year, Golden Sixty, Australian G3 winner, Kallos, and recent Stakes winners Ticker Tape Home and White Moonlight.
