No Distortion takes Long Branch S., Grade 1 Haskell Inv. Next

Distorted Humor’s up-and-coming 3-year-old colt’s romp in the $100,000 Long Branch S. Saturday at Monmouth Park set the Larry Jones trainee up for a probable start in the track’s feature race: the $1 million Haskell Inv. (G1) on July 31.

The Brereton Jones homebred, a half-brother to 2008 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Proud Spell, came into the Long Branch off a dominant dozen-length allowance win at Delaware Park. He validated that performance with another top effort on Saturday, tracking alongside Tiz Long Gone until permanently taking over the lead after a half mile. Unbridled Daddy made a run at him on the turn, but No Distortion shook him off, bounding clear in the stretch while widening his lead to the wire.

The final time for the 1 1/16-miles was 1:42.81.

“He’s finally putting it all together,” said winning trainer Larry Jones. “The way he ran over this track today, if he comes out good, we certainly want to come back for the Haskell .  (Owner) governor Jones was second in the race two years back with Albano, and I know he’d love another crack at it.” 

No Distortion is now 3-2-2 in 11 outings and has earned $142,480.

No Distortion’s victory, his first stakes start, gave champion sire Distorted Humor 135 lifetime stakes winners. The WinStar stallion once again has double-digit numbers of black type performers in 2016.