It was a first stakes victory for RUNHAPPY’s Grand Ave Girl on Sunday when the e Five Racing Thoroughbreds filly went gate-to-wire in the Monroe Stakes.
One of the first out of the gate in the 1 1/16 mile Gulfstream Park turf race, Grand Ave Girl set an easy pace in front with the runner-up not putting much pressure on. As they worked their way into the second half of the backstretch, the filly started expanding her lead to have a few lengths on the field coming into the stretch.
There was no competition for her down the stretch with the filly racing to a 4 ½ length win for her fourth career victory.
Grand Ave Girl was a $300,000 yearling purchase by Mike Ryan for her owners at the Keeneland September Sale when consigned by Pope McLean on behalf of breeders SF Bloodstock.
Grand Ave Girl is one of three winners from three to race out of the Grade 3-placed One Mo, who is a half-sister to stakes-placed Big Red Rocket. Their Tapit dam was another productive producer with five winners from eight named foals.
Grand Ave Girl is the eighth stakes winner for RUNHAPPY, who has a 11.2% strike race with stakes performers to runners. That’s higher than other third crop sires such as Frosted, Upstart, Brody’s Cause, etc.