by Jeff Apel

Monzante unleashed a determined rally from last in the field of six and earned his first graded stakes win with a half-length victory in the $400,000 Eddie Read Handicap (G1) on Sunday at Del Mar.

Monzante trailed in the 1 1/8-mile turf race through early stretch. Angled out by jockey Rafael Bejarano, the Maria’s Mon gelding powered past five foes with an explosive stretch bid and gamely prevailed.

Pacesetter Storm Military (Arg) led by a half-length through a half-mile in :48.21 and by a head through six furlongs in 1:11.79. Monzante trailed Storm Military by seven lengths through a quarter in :23.51 and closed within 3 1/2 lengths of the lead in early stretch.

Quickly moving up on the outside of foes, Monzante overtook runner-up Whatsthescript (Ire) near midstretch and won in 1:46.53 on firm turf.

Multiple graded stakes winner Whatsthescript (Ire) finished second, three-quarters of a length in front of Argentine champion miler and third-place finisher Storm Military. Multiple Grade 1 winner Lava Man stalked the early pace but weakened late and finished last.

Mike Mitchell trains Monzante for co-owners Scott Anastasi and Jay and Gretchen Manoogian. The four-year-old gelding finished second, a neck behind Artiste Royal (Ire), in the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (G1) in his previous start on June 7 at Hollywood Park.

Monzante earned his first stakes win in the Santana Mile Handicap on March 8 at Santa Anita Park. The gray or roan gelding joined Mitchell’s barn after making his first six starts in England for trainer Roger Charlton.

Monzante posted his fourth win in 13 starts and increased his earnings to $449,570. Bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms, Monzante is out of multiple group/graded stakes-placed winner Danzante, by Danzig.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Jeff Apel in an assistant editor of Thoroughbred Times TODAY