Phil’s Prospect holds off El Rocco in closing strides to win Monmouth Park feature

Phil’s Prospect wins Monmouth Park feature

OCEANPORT, N.J. — Phil’s Prospect overtook El Rocco in the stretch to win the $65,000 Tyro Stakes by a half-length at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Ridden by Tony Maragh and trained by Gary Capuano, the 2-year-old gelding covered the 5½ furlongs over a muddy main track in 1:04 and returned $4.20, $2.80 and $2.10. El Rocco paid $3.20 and $2.20, while Dahlgren Chapel was another 1¼ lengths back in third and returned $2.10.

“I just sat in behind the early leader waiting for a hole to open up,” Maragh said. “My horse hesitated a little bit before I finally got him through the hole. Once we got through, he kicked into another gear.”

Phil’s Prospect, who won his second straight race, has earned $67,500.