Filibustin reached back to her stakes-winning class, seeming to be unaffected by her involvement in an early speed, to score a handy 4¾-length victory in Sunday’s $40,000 allowance optional claiming feature at Monmouth Park. 

Slowed by minor injuries last year, according to trainer Gregg Sacco, Filibustin looked to be back in form in her second start as a 4-year-old. The daughter of Bustin Stones-Sweet Aloha won the Key Cents Stakes at Aqueduct and the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes at Belmont at 2 before failing to find the winner’s circle in six starts last year. 

She was fifth in her season debut on July 28 at Monmouth Park after engaging in an early speed duel. 

“She needed that last race,” said Sacco. “She’s a two-time stakes winner as a 2-year-old so she has class. She had some issues last year and we probably rushed her back and it kind of stunted her progress. 

“So we gave her time again and she’s showing what she can do when she is fit and ready.” 

Ridden by Paco Lopez, Filibustin had to survive the early speed with the Jorge Navarro-trained What About Tonight. She covered the six furlongs over a track listed as “sloppy” in a snappy 1:09.32. 

“When a stakes winner gets hooked, that’s when they show their class,” said Sacco. “I saw that Paco still hadn’t asked her at the quarter pole. Jorge Navarro and Jose Ferrer are always dangerous but I could see Paco still had plenty left. 

“She won fairly easily and well within herself.” 

Lopez said the key was breaking on top, forcing What About Tonight to do the chasing. 

“She has class and she has speed and being on the outside post I was able to get to the lead,” Lopez said. “When I asked her, she wanted to keep going.” 

Misschief Maas finished third, a half-length behind What About Tonight. 

Filibustin paid $8.40 to win.