Lady Dora unleashed a powerful closing kick and took the lead near the wire to win the Grade 3 $87,075 Pebbles Handicap by a half-length over De Aar at Belmont yesterday. It was another length back to favored Tippity Witch in third.
Ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Michael Matz, Lady Dora won her first career stakes. She ran the mile-and-an-eighth on the inner turf course in 1:48 3/5 and paid $27.00 to win.
“She’s a fun filly to race” said Matz. “She tries hard every time.”
2nd RACE – Blue Broad rated off the pace while under a stout hold by Richard Migliore. She slowly moved up on the rail and looked to explode and draw away from the field if she had running. She had to check on the far turn but then she recovered quickly and slowly angled outside. At the top of the stretch, Migliore was asking her for run but then she bumped with Baangarita and lost all momentum.
3rd RACE – Sweat Equity stumbled at the start but then recovered quickly and chased the early pace. In the strtech he started to tire and fell back while Max Patch drew away for the victory. While falling back, Sweat Equity was drifting out and cut in front of No Alibis, who had to check badly. Norberto Arroyo Jr. on No Alibis claimed foul on Sweat Equity and after a review by the stewards, Sweat Equity was disqualified from fourth and placed fifth.
4th RACE – Bogart trailed the field early but then started to make a run entering the far turn. He was caught extremely wide on the far turn but maintained his momentum while entering the stretch. He tried to catch I’m All Yours but ran out of track and finished second. Belong to the Bank was eased at the wire and was vanned off. Late Connection was a late scratch due to illegal toe grab shoes.
6th RACE – 31-1 Pretty Boundary broke sharply and angled inside to set the early pace. She still had the lead turning for home but at the eighth pole started to tire. She fell back to finish fourth but should be tough to beat with this experience under her belt.
7th RACE – Arroyo’s fondness for the rail worked again as he rated inside with It’s A Lark while following pacesetting Some Irish Legend. Once a slight opening on the rail in the stretch became available, Arroyo shot through with It’s A Lark and went on for the victory. Some Irish legend held on for second. Can’t Bluff Me was wide when turning for home and then broke down at the top of the stretch. She walked into the horse ambulance and was vanned off.
10th RACE – En Caliente trailed the field and then checked entering the far turn when she was crowded in by Dolly’s Angel. She angled outside for the stretch drive but could only get up to be fourth. Border Fire flipped in the paddock while being saddled. She walked around for a few minutes but was still acting up when it was attempted to put the blinkers on her. She was then scratched out of the race.
YESTERDAY’S CLAIMS
3rd RACE – Wholesale Harry ($75,000) by Dominic Schettino.
10th RACE – En Caliente ($50,000) by Mike Sedlacek.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 4-2-10-6-4-1
33 winners; each receives $4,187.00
580 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $57.50
No carryover