Speightstown’s Grade 1 winner Force the Pass came back from an extended layoff to capture the $75,000 Cliff Hanger S. on May 5 at Monmouth Park.
The victory was very gratifying for trainer Alan Goldberg and rider Jevian Toledo.
“I had a ton of faith in Alan to get this horse ready off the layoff. Once he got next to (Irish Strait during a stirring stretch duel) his heart got big and he gave me everything he had. I’m so thankful to ride a horse like this,” said Toledo.
Force the Pass, who is now six years old, won the Belmont Derby (G1) and Penn Mile (G3) and now has a bankroll of $1,307,154 for his owner/breeder Colts Neck Stables.
Force the Pass had been away from the races since September, 2016 before Saturday’s win. Fourth through the first half-mile, Force the Pass made his move for the lead at the top of the stretch and was head-to-head with Irish Strait right to the wire, winning by a nose in a very good 1:33.73 for the mile on the firm turf.
Force the Pass is now a four-time stakes winner, as was his dam Social Queen.
