OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) — Sierra Ancha rallied in the closing strides to beat In God’s Country by a neck in the $60,000 Charles Hesse III Handicap at Monmouth Park on Saturday.
Ridden by Shannon Uske and trained by Ed Barney, the four-year-old gelding ran the 1 1/16 miles on a good track in 1:45.920 and returned $27.40, $12.20 and $6. The win was the third in 13 career starts for Sierra Ancha, who has now earned $134,125.
In God’s Country paid $15.40 and $6.20, while Crafty Concorde was a neck back in third and returned $3.40.
Earlier on the card, Geeky Gorgeous drew off in the stretch to beat Gunfighter by two lengths in the $60,000 New Jersey Breeders’ Handicap, while Princess Perfect went wire-to-wire to win the $60,000 Jersey Girl Handicap.
