Provocateur sharp in victory in the Jersey Shore S.

My Racehorse Stable’s and Spendthrift Farm’s Provocateur made a bold move along the rail with three furlongs to go on his way to victory in Saturday’s $108,000 Jersey Shore S. at Monmouth Park.

The 3-year-old son of Into Mischief was one of three stakes winners on the day for his sire, along with Life Is Good in the Whitney S. (G1) and Fulsome in the West Virginia Governor’s S. (G3) at Mountaineer Park.

Provocateur was never more than two lengths from the front along the fence as Defend blazed through an opening quarter-mile in :21.67. As the field went around the turn, jockey Jairo Rendon urged Provocateur through a narrow opening and emerged with the lead in a matter of a few seconds. He held sway in the stretch, winning comfortably by two lengths over Witty in 1:08.81 for the six furlongs on a fast track.

“When the rail opened up, if he didn’t shoot in there the way he did he might have not won,” said Anthony Sciametta, who oversees trainer Todd Pletcher’s division at Monmouth Park. “Jairo rode a great race. He had to use the opening on the rail when he did.”

Provocateur has had an excellent campaign this year, winning Gulfstream Park’s Hutcheson S., and placing in the Woody Stephens S. (G1) and two other listed events. His record currently stands at 3-2-1 in eight starts, earning $220,205.

Provocateur was bred by Kingswood Farm and David Egan. Out of Cayala, he is a full brother to 2017 Southwest S. (G3) winner One Liner.