Pedigree

While there will be debate as to whether Monba likes running on dirt as much as on Polytrack, there is little doubt the Blue Grass S. (G1) winner is bred to handle 1 1/4 miles. Monba is by Maria's Mon, the champion two-year-old colt of 1995 who captured the 1 1/16-mile Champagne S. (G1), but missed starts in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and the following year's Triple Crown due to injury. Maria's Mon's offspring have been effective at all distances and surfaces, with his two most noted progeny being 2001 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Monarchos, and the champion filly Wait a While, twice a Grade 1 winner at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Monba is the first notable runner from his dam, Hamba, who won two small races in five starts, both at seven furlongs. Hamba did, however, have some high-profile siblings, including the Grade 1 winner Secret Hello (Private Account), Grade 2-winning filly Silent Account (Private Account), and the English Group 3-winning sprinter Hadif (Clever Trick). Monba inherits much of his stamina from his broodmare sire, Easy Goer, a Hall of Fame inductee who finished second in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness S. (G1) before winning the 12-furlong Belmont S. (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). Though he died prematurely, Easy Goer lived long enough to sire the multiple Grade 1-winning My Flag, who ran third in the Belmont, and Will's Way, who followed both his sire and his sire's sire, Alydar, into the winner's circle following the 1 1/4-mile Travers S. (G1).

Easy Goer has been a prominent broodmare sire, represented by such standouts as champion filly Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat) and Grade 2 marathon specialist Navesink River (Unbridled). More recently, Easy Goer's daughters have produced Grade 1 winner Corinthian (Pulpit), who won at up to 1 3/16 miles; French classic winner Astronomer Royal (Danzig); and nine-furlong Rampart H. (G2) heroine Spring Waltz (Silver Charm).