Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey
Holly Crest Farm homebred Great Navigator won the $100,000 New Jersey Breeders Handicap by 4 & 1/4 lengths, giving Holly Crest and trainer Eddie Owens their second stakes victory during the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival.
Owens said he had “mixed emotions” about the result, since Great Navigator’s stablemate Speaking, who carved out the early fractions, faded to last.
Great Navigator, a 5-year-old son of Sea Wizard, earned his sixth win from 22 career starts.
The winning time for the six furlongs was 1:10.09.
No Cents was second, a 1½ lengths better than Grouch.
Great Navigator had been idle since June 8 leading up to Sunday’s win.
“I don’t know if he got jumped on coming out of the gate last time, but he had a big cut after that race (a third-place finish in the Friendly Lover),” said Owens. “I wanted to bring him back on the grass, but we had to wait, and this was the next spot. He has always run well for me fresh.
“He ran against some tough horses at Gulfstream over the winter so I can’t say I’m surprised by this.”
Samuel echoed those sentiments.
“When I rode him the last race (a third-place finish) he had a little issue in the race and I told Eddie `he’s way better than this. We’ve just got to get him a good trip,’ ” said Marin. “I was able to do that, and he proved he is a good horse. He showed us today how talented he is.”