Multiple graded stakes winner and Maryland stallion Engage was represented by his first stakes winner Aug. 23 when La Resolana won the $76,500 Eleven North Handicap at Monmouth Park.
A New Jersey homebred for Gerardo Franco trained by Jose Sanchez, La Resolana was riding a three-race win streak entering her stakes debut at 6 furlongs and did not disappoint. She broke from her inside position in the seven-horse field to stalk pacesetter Lidia Rose while racing third down the backstretch. Jockey Paco Lopez tipped outside that rival after chasing fractions of :22.16 and :45.09, assuming command at the quarter-pole.
La Resolana proceeded to kick away from the field in the stretch and was geared down as she crossed the wire in 1:10.02 while 4 1/4 lengths ahead of favored Summer's Comin. She paid $6.40 to win.
Out of the winning stakes-placed Drosselmeyer mare Sweetest Yet, La Resolana improved her career record to 5-0-0 from seven starts for earnings of $174,031.
On the racetrack, Engage showed early promise breaking his maiden on second asking at Saratoga Race Course before winning the 2017 Futurity Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park. He picked up two graded placings at 3 before winning the Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland and Bensalem Stakes at Parx Racing at 4, finishing that season with a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
Engage completed his career with a record of 5-5-2 from 19 starts for earnings of $802,780. He stood the 2026 season for $2,500 at Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md.
