Veterans look tough in Iselin

The 8-year-olds Page McKenney and Imperative have accomplished amazing things during their lengthy careers. On Saturday at Monmouth Park, the battle-hardened veterans are the ones to beat in the Grade 3, $100,000 Philip H. Iselin.

The 1 1/16-mile Iselin is the second leg of the long-on-dirt division of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships. Page McKenney used a lastditch surge after appearing beaten in midstretch to win the Salvator Mile at Monmouth, which began the competition. An Iselin win would put him in a commanding position since he is the only horse from the Salvator who will run back.

A first- or second-place finish would put Page McKenney atop the overall championship standings. A third would tie him for the lead with his Mary Eppler-trained stablemate Oak Bluffs, a turf sprinter.

Eppler is happy with how Page McKenney came out of the Salvator, and has worked him twice. As is Eppler’s style, the times were slow, but the closing splits were quick.

“I like to start my horses out easy and then let them finish up,” she said. “In his work last weekend, he went in 1:02 and four and got his last quarter in 23 and one. Two weeks ago, he went in 1:05 but had a fast last quarter.”

Eppler has been concerned the past few months with Page McKenney’s blood count. Before the Salvator, she said it was improved and good enough to run, but not where she’d like to see it.

“His blood is real good now,” Eppler said. “It has improved since the last time he ran. I’m so happy he is doing better.”

Page McKenney, a $16,000 claim in 2013, is now 22 for 56 and nearing $1.9 million in earnings.

Imperative and Page McKenney have met twice before in the Charles Town Classic.

In 2015, Imperative finished second to Moreno, with Page McKenney 2 1/2 lengths back in third. The following year, Page McKenney finished second to Stanford, two lengths ahead of Imperative, who was fourth.

Imperative is at a decided disadvantage Saturday, as the Iselin will be his first start since he won the 2017 Charles Town Classic. He also won the race in 2014.

Trainer Bob Hess Jr. was pointing Imperative to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar last fall but he came out of his final prerace workout with a hairline fracture of his pelvis.

“We gave him time and he’s 100 percent now,” Hess said. “Obviously, he’s had a massive layoff and could need a race, but he’s doing great.”

Imperative is 6 for 38 in his career. A win would put his earnings past $3 million.

Hess said he would like to follow up the Iselin with a start in the Grade 3, $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Cup at Mountaineer Park on Aug. 4.

If neither of the old boys steps up, trainer David Jacobson could be the beneficiary. He has Harlan Punch and Red Rifle in the seven-horse field.