Jolie’s Halo Shines in Iselin Handicap

Making only his second start this year, Jolie’s Halo stalked pace-setting Loach and then held off Out Of Place by a neck in winning the $500,000 Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Loach, sent out as a rabbit for stablemate Strike The Gold, did his job but the late-charging Strike The Gold could not overcome the speed bias of the Monmouth oval.

The 1991 Kentucky Derby winner made his customary closing kick but finished fourth.

Jolie’s Halo, a 5-year-old dark bay son of Halo, broke alertly under jockey Edgar Prado, but the speedy Loach carried the field of 11 into the first turn.

At the far turn, Jolie’s Halo began his move, just as Strike The Gold launched his bid from far back.

Turning for home, Jolie’s Halo eased to the outside of the tiring pacesetter as Out Of Place, under Herb McCauley, surged up the rail. Jolie’s Halo held off Out Of Place, with Valley Crossing finished third.

Jolie’s Halo moved past $1 million in earnings and equaled the stakes and track record of 1:46 4/5 set by Spend A Buck in 1985.

Jolie’s Halo, trained by Robert Camac, paid $10.80, $8.20, and $5.40.

The finale of the ACRS is the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 30, but Strike the The Gold, who leads the series with 30 points, is not likely to make the trip west. He leads the series with 30 points. Only Best Pal, with 23 points, has a chance to overtake him, but he has been sidelined with an injury.