With the dearth of horses prevalent at so many of the nation’s racetracks, owners and trainers with sound runners have been taking full advantage of the situation. At Monmouth Park yesterday, Bahama Pearl made her 13th start of the year for owner MCA Racing Stable and trainer Claudio Gonzalez, and they were rewarded with the five-year-old Bahamian Squall mare’s first victory.

    Bahama Pearl has finished in the top three in her last seven starts, and yesterday’s check for $15,000 raised her 2022 take to $35,915 on a record of 1-2-5 in her 13 tries. Overall, the mare bred by Shade Tree Thoroughbreds and Joyce Corwin is 2-5-6 in 25 starts with earnings of $64,250. 

    Carlos Rojas rode Bahama Pearl yesterday and they were away third on the rail in the race at five furlongs that was originally scheduled for the grass. Bahama Pearl slipped through on the inside to gain second on the turn, swung into the two path for the stretch run and ran down Devious late to win by half a length, clocked in :59.13. She became Bahamian Squall’s 22nd winner of 2022.