OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — Data Link set a course record in beating Get Stormy by a length in the $200,000 Monmouth Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday.
Trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by John Velazquez, the 4-year-old colt ran the 1 1/8 miles on a firm turf course in 1:45.93. That bested the 1:46.39 mark set by J’Ray on Aug. 3, 2008.
The win in the Grade II race was the sixth victory in 12 career starts for Data Link, who boosted his career earnings to $451,335.
Earlier on the card, Varsity nearly set another track record in the $60,000 John McSorley Stakes, beating Triple E by a half-length. Ridden by Joe Bravo and trained by Christophe Clemet, the 5-year-old gelding ran the 512 furlongs on a firm turf course in 1:00 4/5.
