by Jenny Blandford

Monterey Jazz held on gamely in his stakes debut to score a front-running, one-length win in the $122,100 Sir Beaufort Stakes (G3) on Wednesday at Santa Anita Park.

The Thunderello colt sped to the lead and set the pace through fractions of :22.81 for the opening quarter and :46.32 for a half-mile under jockey David Flores. Monterery Jazz kicked clear when challenged to a 1 1/2-length lead in early stretch and completed the one-mile race in 1:34.36 on firm turf.

“It looked like we were the speed in the race,” Flores said. “I tried to clear early and get him to relax. I was really happy with the way he was running to the far turn, he was into a tight hold and he was happy.”

Mr Napper Tandy (GB) chased outside and closed willingly for second, a nose in front of multiple stakes winner Twilight Meteor, who rallied in the stretch to secure third. Whatsthescript (Ire) finished last of 13 as the 5-to-2 favorite.

Racing exclusively in California for owners A and R Stables and Class Racing Stable, Monterey Jazz entered off a 2 1/4-length win in an allowance/optional claiming race on November 10 at Hollywood Park.

Trained by Craig Dollase, Monterey Jazz improved to four wins in ten career starts and boosted his earnings to $167,740.

Bred in Kentucky by Danzel Brendemuehl, Monterey Jazz is out of the unplaced Dynaformer mare Reefside.

Jenny Blandford is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor

For an Equibase chart, click here.