EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Winless since breaking his maiden in his debut nine starts ago while racing against tougher company, Outrunner found a softer spot to his liking in Saturday night’s featured $36,000 allowance to score a head victory in the feature race during the Monmouth at Meadowlands meet.

Ridden by Rajiv Maragh and trained by Jorge Duarte, Jr., for Colts Neck Stable, the 1-2 favorite in the field of six still had to earn his second victory, determinedly holding off the late-running Blown Cover by a head.

The time for the mile over a turf course listed as firm was 1:35.58.

Though showing a pair of seconds and three thirds since his winning debut on Oct. 25, 2024 – including a pair of third-place finishes in Grade 3 company – Outrunner had not been able to break through again until Saturday night.

The 4-year-old son of American Pharoah dueled with Distinct for most of the stretch before that one finally gave way, only to have Blown Cover flying late outside of him under Reylu Gutierrez.

Guitarist rallied for third, another 1¾ lengths back.

Distinct took the field through early fractions of :22.72, :47.26 and 1:10.97 with Outrunner tracking him. Those two were alone until deep stretch, when Distinct faltered and Blown Cover found a seam to launch his rally.

Among Outrunner’s near misses before this win was a second-place finish in the Tale of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth Park on June 28 of last year.

Racing resumes at the all-turf Monmouth at Meadowlands meet next Friday and Saturday with six-race cards each night. First race post time is 7 p.m.