It isn’t often that a stumbled start in a sprint is advantageous. But that appeared to be the case for Happy Offering in Friday’s featured $150,000 claimer at Monmouth Park for Jersey-bred non-winners of three.

His small misstep as the gate opened set the stage for the 4-year-old gelding to have a perfect set-up trip behind a pair of dueling leaders, with the Chuck Spina-trainee rolling past both in the final sixteenth to win by three-quarters of a length.

Prevented from being part of that speed duel because of his start, Happy Offering avoided getting caught up as Doin This and Wildncrazynight blazed through an opening quarter in :21.91. They were still going at it through a half in :44.32 with Happy Offering sitting off both.

The final time for the six furlongs was 1:09.54.

“We haven’t had a horse run 1:09 and change since Bustin Out (on Aug. 17, 2017),” said Spina. “He stumbled leaving there or he would have been right there with them. It didn’t hurt that those two horses were ding-donging.”

Ridden by Charlie Marquez, Happy Offering didn’t attack the tiring frontrunners until deep stretch. He returned $4.40 to win in the scratch-reduced field of five.

Owned by Joe and Gayle Ioia’s Prancing Horse Farm, the son of Qurbaan improved to a 3-4-1 line from 13 career starts.

He also stumbled at the start his last time out in the one-mile Irish War Cry at a mile on the turf but was unable to make an impact after later being checked at the three-eights. He finished sixth that day.

“He got beat 7¾ lengths but she should have been much closer,” said Spina. “He was steadied at the start and then checked at the three-eighths. He’s a nice horse. He can go long or short on dirt or turf. He’s an honest horse.”

LATIN FESTIVAL: TACOS & TEQUILA ON TAP SUNDAY

 The annual Latin Festival: Tacos & Tequila, featuring 15 vendors and live music, will take place on Sunday, Aug. 2, at Monmouth Park.

The list of food trucks for the event is as follows: Bussin Empanadas; Chillin Out Ice Cream; Cubano X-Press; Cubita Truck; Danny’s Soft Serve; Empanada Beast; Latin Bites; The MexiBoys; Mozzarepas; Ma & Pa’s Tex Mex BBQ; Rosa’s Kitchen & Catering; Tortas Lokas; Sweetpepper Empanadas; Vampire Penguin and Wild Bill’s Soda.

Xol Azul will perform “On the Green” from noon to 4 p.m.

Family Fun Day attractions will complement the festival, with free clowns, face painters, pony rides and a bounce house for kids.

The eight-race card starts at 12:50 p.m.