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Name Changer prevails in Queens County

by Keith McCalmont

Colts Neck Stables homebred Name Changer, perfectly handled by David Cohen, held off a late rush from longshot Monongahela to capture the 113th running of the $125,000 Queens County on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Alan Goldberg, the 5-year-old son of Uncle Mo arrived at the 1 1/8-miles test for three-year-olds and upward from an even third in the Pa Derby Champion on September 22.

After breaking sharply from the inside post, Name Changer saved all the ground from third position as Bal Harbour, fresh off a win in the Gio Ponti, and Exulting, the 2-1 mutuel favorite, dueled for the early lead through splits of 24.05 seconds and a half-mile in 47.51.

Name Changer advanced up the rail through the final turn and put away a stubborn Bal Harbour but was all out to repel the furious rally of Monongahela, last of eight until late in the turn, who was angled five-wide by Jevian Toledo for the stretch run.

Monongahela took dead aim at the leaders, easily overtaking Bal Harbour, but could not reel in Name Changer, who drifted out slightly in the final 70 yards, but had enough left to secure the half-length score.

Monongahela, a 15-1 chance off a runner-up effort in the Swatara at Penn National, completed the exacta 1 1/2-lengths in front of Bal Harbour. Holiday Bonus, Small Bear, Bonus Points, Degrom and Exulting completed the order of finish. Adulator and Backsideofthemoon were scratched.

Cohen said he was pleased with the ground-saving trip he executed for Name Changer.

"It went very well. The horse broke good, got in good position, and was able to let the speed fold over in front of us," said Cohen. "We got a nice duel on the front end down the back side, and I was lucky enough to be able to save ground the whole way around there. When I asked my horse, he responded very well."

The ultra-consistent Name Changer, who captured the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup on July 29, banked $68,750 in victory while improving his record to 8-1-4 from 17 starts. Bred in Kentucky by his owners, Name Changer paid $8.40 to win.

Live racing continues on Sunday at the Big A with a 9-race card highlighted by the 60th running of the $100,000 Gravesend. A single-day Pick 6 carryover of $21,199 will await bettors after the sequence went unsolved on Saturday when 40-1 longshot She'saprettylady captured the finale. First post time on Sunday's card is 12:20 p.m. ET.

Every day during the month of December, NYRA Bets members who place wagers on Aqueduct will receive a three percent rebate. For more information on the NYRA Bets December three percent bonus, visit NYRABets.com.