Surface to Air took the challenge to favorite Just a Touch early, and the duo battled the length of the stretch with Surface to Air prevailing by a half-length in the G3 Monmouth Cup at Monmouth Park on Saturday, July 19.
It was the first Graded Stakes win for the son of Midshipman, who entered the race off a third-place finish in the G3 Salvator Mile June 14. The $240,000 winner’s share of the purse nearly doubled the five-year-old’s earnings to $532,034.
Breaking sharply under jockey Samuel Marin, Surface to Air settled into a stalking position, just behind the leading pair of Cadet Corps and Just a Touch. Heading into the far turn, Surface to Air made his move, making his bid for the lead while racing three-wide. From the top of the lane to the wire it was an epic confrontation, as Surface to Air and Just a Touch vied for the victory.
At the wire, it was Surface to Air that came out on top by a half-length over Just a Touch. It was another seven lengths further back to Cadet Corps in third.
Surface to Air was bred in Kentucky by Silverton Hill LLC. He is out of Shemazon, an unraced daughter of Congrats, and is from the immediate family of Stakes winners Pashito the Che, Retired Kathy, and Chasseresse.
Surface to Air is the second Stakes winner of the weekend for his sire, Midshipman, whose daughter, Kontiki, captured the Tah Dah Stakes on July 18. Midshipman is also the sire of Navy Seal, winner of the Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes at Oaklawn Park, three-time Stakes winner One Last Chance, in addition to three Chilean G1 winners this year: Lucky Red (G1 El Derby), The Goat (G1 Dos Mil Guineas, G1 St. Leger), and Cassis Violeta (G1 Las Oaks).
