News & Barn notes

11-1 Summer Flower Overcomes Wide Trip Throughout To Win Sunday’s Featured Allowance Optional Claimer For Jersey-Breds

May 31, 2026

Summer Flower rallied from sixth entering the final turn, was four-wide coming out of it and then drew off in mid-stretch for a 2¾-length victory in Sunday’s $65,625 allowance optional claimer for Jersey-breds at Monmouth Park.

Bred, owned and trained by Mike Dini, Summer Flower shrugged off being wide throughout the entirety of the mile and 70-yard race to return $23.80 in the field of eight fillies and mares 3 and up.

The winning time was 1:45.20.

Ridden by Sonny Leon, Summer Flower was kept on the outside and clear throughout, launching from sixth place entering the final turn.

It was the second win on the card for Dini. Leon won three races on the eight-race program.

A 5-year-old daughter of War Front, Summer Flower was making just her seventh career start on the main track. Twenty of her 26 career starts entering Sunday had been on the grass.

The victory was her third from 27 career starts and snapped a nine-race losing streak.

Allenhurst, the 3-5 favorite, rallied for second, 5¾ lengths ahead of Eazy Whirled.

The exacta returned $99.60.

Racing resumes at Monmouth Park on Saturday. First race post time is 12:50 p.m.