One of the most bizarre stories in racing takes another step forward today in the first race at Monmouth Park.

    The culprit is Gone Astray Kiss, an 8-year-old New Jersey-bred gelding by Pleasant Acres' stallion Gone Astray. What makes him so intriguing is that Gone Astray Kiss has raced 71 times, compiling an oh-no record of 2-2-12, with earnings of $119,716. His two victories came in the same season - at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 8 of 2017 and May 13 of 2017 at Monmouth Park. He paid $6.80 in the Tampa race competing for $16,000, and $20.20 at Monmouth competing for $7,500. 

    Gone Astray Kiss is now owned and trained by Anthony Foglia, who may just be having a good time with him. The last time Gone Astray Kiss finished in the top 3 was a third-place finish on July 3 of last year at Monmouth - he was 38-1 that day. It's possible there are bettors who want to own a souvenir ticket in case the gelding becomes a record-holder of some kind somewhere down the line.

    GAK took a six-month vacation, returning at Monmouth on May 8 - amazingly - in a $75,000 allowance race. He finished eighth by 17 1/2 lengths at odds of 53-1. It appeared Foglia was just trying to get a race in him, thus the class he faced. However, he's in another $75,000 allowance today, and is 30-1 in the morning line. If the souvenir hunters don't show up to bet a few bucks, GAK could go off at 100-1. 

     

 

 

comments powered by Disqus