Sign Noh took the lead early and maintained it to win the $102,000 Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park, marking a strong American debut for the Australian-bred filly, Starspann Banner. After finishing fourth in his US debut at Pimlico’s Hill Top Stakes on May 16, Starspann Banner showed improvement with a sturdy rally along the rail to secure a 1½-length victory over 1 1/16 miles on turf with a time of 1:42.32. Trainer Brendan Walsh praised the filly’s progress and noted that the longer distance suited her, highlighting her significant improvement since her earlier US race.
Jockey Axel Concepcion skillfully held her near the back of the pack before finding a seam coming out of the final turn, where she surged to a strong third-place finish behind Hidden Quarry in the final stages. Walsh expressed confidence in Starspann Banner’s potential to develop into an even better filly as the season continues.
In the $100,000 Maryfield Stakes, jockey Sonny Leon celebrated a milestone by earning his 1,000th career victory aboard a three-year-old filly in a tight six-furlong sprint. This important win came during Leon’s first summer riding at Monmouth Park and was achieved by overcoming a late challenge from Volleyball Princess. Leon reflected on the special occasion, crediting the horse’s effort and his strategic ride for the win.
This coverage was originally published by the Paulick Report on June 29, 2025.
Fan Take: This report highlights the rising talent of international horses like Starspann Banner, bringing exciting competition to American turf races, and celebrates the career milestone of a dedicated jockey like Sonny Leon. These stories energize the sport by showing growth, international influence, and the human-animal partnerships that make horse racing so compelling to fans worldwide.
