The program that veteran trainer Anthony Margotta, Jr., has for his 2-year-olds hasn’t changed much through the years. They’re broken at Ocala, Fla., then shipped to him at Gulfstream Park, where he is stabled in the winter, and when he moves north to Monmouth Park for the spring and summer they’re usually ready to run.

So it’s not an issue that the two colts who will be making their debut for him in Monday’s first 2-year-old race of the year at Monmouth Park – one a Jersey-bred – will be taking on a field that includes $1.4 million yearling purchase Regent’s Park.

“We were pointing for June 6 and the (2-year-old) race that was in the condition book,” said Margotta. “But they were both ready. So when this extra race came up we were ready for both of them to go.”

Jersey-bred It’s Prime Time and Vintage Wiz, Margotta’s two starters, were both bred by Margotta and his partners as well. It’s Prime Time is owned by A R M Racing; Vintage Wiz is owned by TIF Donnelly and Hudson Stables.

“There’s really nothing like having 2-year-olds ready to race,” said Margotta, a Monmouth Park fixture who has been training since 1986. “It keeps you going. It’s something to look forward to for every trainer.

“But it is even more rewarding when you breed them. We’re in the breeding and racing business and we’re always loyal to Monmouth Park so they are both going on Monday.”

It’s Prime Time, named after three New Jersey centers for special needs adults 21 and older, is by Army Mule-The Girl Loves Gold by Bolt d’Oro.

“He’s been training good,” said Margotta. “He’s by Army Mule, who is a pretty good stallion. The mare was a $375,000 yearling who never made it to the races.

“He might have Jersey next to his name but he has as good a pedigree as a lot of the 2-year-olds on the grounds here.”

Vintage Wiz, a New York-bred by Vino Rosso, is out of a mare – Good Credence – that Margotta trained. Good Credence earned $225,000 from 13 career starts.

“He’s a New York-bred but we support Monmouth Park. We stable here, we race here,” he said. “If we have a New York-bred and he’s ready we’re going to race here because that’s what we do.”

Margotta said he sets up his 2-year-old program so they arrive to him at Gulfstream in late March or early April. That gives him a full month to work with the babies until they head north to Monmouth Park.

“That 30 days when I get to work with them is huge,” he said. “When we come to Monmouth my 2-year-olds are typically ready to run or break from the gate to get them gate certified.”

That’s why he is usually less focused on the competition and more on his 2-year-olds when they are ready.

“I’ve been doing this long enough. I respect all of that (expensive yearlings),” he said. “That’s what it’s all about, breeding horses with a good pedigree.

“But you know what? They’re still 2-year-olds. This could be a David vs. Goliath thing. The horses don’t read their sales prices. When they go out there and look each other in the eye it’s just like any other athletic competition.”