Jersey-bred Talkin About Love wins Monmouth Oaks
Trenton Stakes goes to Marina Ballerina

OCEANPORT - Kevin Sleeter's Talkin About Love moved to the lead at the quarter pole and held all her rivals at bay, winning Sunday's $200,000 Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks before a crowd of 10,255.

First contested in 1871, the Monmouth Oaks is the oldest Oaks run in North America.

Sent off the third choice in the field of six 3-year-old fillies, Talkin About Love returned $7.80, $4.60 and $2.60 and topped a $106.40 exacta. Longshot Scooter Girl closed from last to be second and paid $22.20 and $4.60. It was another four-plus lengths back to Lady Marlboro, who returned $2.60 to show. The favorite, Exchanging Fire, who rode a two-race win streak into the Oaks, tired after setting the early fractions to finish fourth.

"She didn't mind getting behind horses at all," said winning jockey Stewart Elliot. "When I was ready to go, she just took off. I only rode her in her last race and she really impressed me. She finished up strong in that race and had plenty of horse left. She came out today and ran great. She's a very talented filly and showed it."

"We knew the one horse [Exchanging Fire] had plenty of speed, so I knew she'd be sitting off her," said Sleeter. "I didn't give any instructions. Stewie's been around this oval more than enough times to know what to do.

"We had a little setback with her. She got a cold four days ago and I was really nervous about that, but she didn't show any signs of it today. She ran terrific. We'll go to the Cotillion at Philly next [$500,000, Sept. 22, Grade 2]."

Talkin About Love, by Not For Love from the Northern Idol mare She's Jane, covered the mile and a 16th over a fast main track in 1:43 3/5 and earned $120,000 for her efforts. She has now banked $283,208 for her owner/trainer/breeder Kevin Sleeter.

In the $60,000 Trenton Stakes, Marina Ballerina battled outside Sea the Joy throughout the five furlongs before besting that foe by a neck at the wire, covering the distance over "good" turf in 1:01 4/5.

Trained by Steve Margolis and ridden by Jose Lezcano, Marina Ballerina returned $6.40, $3.20 and $2.60. Sea the Joy, the post-time favorite in the field of eight 3-year-old fillies, returned $2.80 and $2.60 and completed a $16.20 exacta. Big Cat Walks Late closed for a $3.40 show mutuel.

The Trenton Stakes win marked the third in nine tries for the daughter of Outflanker from the Tactical Advantage mare Tactical Tracey. She has now earned $112,892 for owner Robert L. Pastor.

This weekend promises to be another big one at the Oceanport track: Saturday's schedule features the Anderson Fowler Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong turf race for 3-year-olds, The Continental Mile Stakes, a one-mile turf race for 2-year-olds, and the Philip H. Iselin Breeders' Cup Stakes (GIII), a 1 1/8-mile race, with a $300,000 purse for 3-year-olds and up.

Then, on Sunday, Monmouth will feature the Junior Champion Stakes, a one-mile turf race for 2-year-old fillies.

Bravo, Pletcher, Kazamias top Monmouth Park standings

With three weeks to go in the 2007 Monmouth Park meeting, the race for leading jockey seems a near certainty, while the contest for top trainer and owner are still up for grabs.

With 60 of the 75 racing days in the books, Joe Bravo is in a very familiar spot - atop the rider standings. From 319 mounts, Bravo has 93 victories as he goes for an unprecedented 13th riding title at the Oceanport racetrack. Eddie Castro, with 70 wins, is second, 15 victories better than Jose Lezcano. Rounding out the top five are Chuck C. Lopez with 53 wins, seven more than Rajiv Maragh.

Over in the trainers' race, Todd Pletcher continues to show the way with 29 wins, just four more than Jason Servis. Servis, the leading trainer at the Meadowlands last season, has won 15 races over the past 30 days, visiting the winner's circle at an impressive 42 percent clip.

Bruce Levine is third in the trainers' race with 23 wins, one more than Richard Dutrow Jr. Kelly John Breen, the top conditioner the past two seasons, and Patricia Farro are tied in fifth with 20 victories apiece.

The owners' race has Peter Kazamias atop the standings with 12 victories, three more than Patricia Generazio. Tied in third are Presidential Thoroughbreds, Leo-Sag Stable and John Petrini, each with eight wins.

The 2007 Monmouth Park meeting concludes on Sunday, Sept. 2, with the Meadowlands opening for live racing on Monday, Sept. 3. Monmouth Park will reopen Oct. 24-27 as the racetrack hosts four days of racing, culminating with the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, Powered by Dodge.