Contention Goes Deep in $100,000 Grade III Monmouth Oaks

Ria Antonia is the 5/2 morning line favorite for trainer Tom Amoss despite being winless in five starts as a three year-old and losing the head to head matchup against Size (4/1) in the Grade III Iowa Oaks – the most recent start for both fillies.  Still, Ria Antonia won the Grade I Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies last year and is the only grade I winner in the field.  There was nothing wrong with her effort in the Iowa Oaks and she has shown consistency this year running second in the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks. 

Size once again makes her presence felt 

Size, the second choice, is quite likely to be the post time favorite for trainer Bill Mott.  With three wins in four career starts, Size has plenty of upside and ran impressively in the aforementioned Iowa Oaks.  Her early speed is decided advantage over the speed-favoring Monmouth Park strip figures to improve in her second route effort.  

Joint Return consistent and classy

Joint Return (5/1) has five wins in nine career starts and most recently finished second in the Grade II Delaware Oaks.  She is a multiple winner of minor stakes and rarely throws in a clunker.  Aibhilin (8/1) returns from a third place finish in the Delaware Oaks.