Clouded Judgement in softer spot

The $60,000 My Frenchman at Monmouth Park on Saturday has drawn a competitive group of 3-year-old turf sprinters and could go any number of ways. The 5 1/2-furlong race will begin in the infield chute, which doglegs onto the backstretch and points the runners toward the far turn.

Black Stetson and Like What I See are the two stakes winners in the field; Majestic Dunhill is the only last-out winner; and Reed Kan will be making his first start off a claim for Jason Servis. But as far as company lines go, Clouded Judgement’s last race jumps off the page.

Clouded Judgement won an off-the-turf first-level allowance at Laurel Park in April, which earned him a start in the $200,000 Chick Lang, a sixfurlong main-track race for 3-year-olds that was run in the Pimlico slop on Preakness Day.

The brilliant sprinter Mitole won the Lang by 6 1/4 lengths. The late-rallying runner-up Still Having Fun returned to score a $28 upset in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens on Belmont Stakes Day. Clouded Judgement checked in third of nine at 27-1 for trainer Lacey Gaudet and seems realistically spotted in the My Frenchman.

Clouded Judgement, who was bred in Kentucky by his owner, Roddy Harrison, won a maiden sprint on turf at Laurel Park last fall and should not have any difficulty with the change in footing. Jockey Rosario Montanez will be in from Maryland to ride.

Black Stetson upset the $100,000 Bridgetown, a sixfurlong turf sprint at Aqueduct in April, for Parx Racing-based trainer Carlos Guerrero. He most recently finished last of five in the Paradise Creek at Belmont Park. Although he has worked only twice since that May 26 race, he should hit hard at this level.

Jose Ferrer, who won six races at Monmouth last Sunday, picks up the mount.

Servis claimed Reed Kan for $75,000 for Michael Dubb and partners at Gulfstream Park on April 1 and has freshened him. It’s a positive sign that Servis brings the speedy son of Kantharos back in a stakes.

There are quite a few frontrunners in the field, but Reed Kan could prove quickest of the quick. Over the past two years, Servis is 24 for 54 (44 percent) with an ROI of $3.38 first off the claim.

Carlos Hernandez, who is fifth in the Monmouth rider standings and recently won his first stakes, has the mount.

Like What I See, a New Jersey-bred, will be making his second start for trainer Greg Sacco. He set the pace and then tired against statebred allowance company on the main track July 1, but should be more comfortable on turf.

Last year, Like What I See won the Colin Stakes on Tapeta at Woodbine. Paco Lopez has a return ride.