While rider Bejarano was unable to find success with this filly last year in the Gr. I Acorn, trainer Winning Link Stables was willing to give him another go with her here, and the results would pay off big time as she would win her third Graded title.

• The Vagrancy Handicap- Grade III Purse $200.000
• Belmont Park- For Fillies and Mares four years old and Upward
• Six and a half Furlongs Main Track
• May 11th, 2019

It seems that when this grey filly has her mind set on competing, there is no runner-up or third place finish for her, she wants it all and nothing less. In her thirteen career starts, Diplomatic Chaos has never finished second or third on the tote, but has managed to win seven different affairs. While she would break cleanly and get the lead for the opening furlong until Morning Tea ( Mb Stables ) would charge up for the lead going into the far turn, Diplomatic Chaos would regain the lead with a little over a furlong to run. With a sixteenth of a mile to go, it was looking like it was going to be anyone’s race, but Diplomatic Chaos would hold off a late charging Returned ( Axeman ) to her inside. Fractions for the event were 23.88, 46.92, 1:09.96 and a final of 1:15.88.

Runner-up Returned made up ground along the rail while three others were competing in the middle of the track to grab the place purse. While the bay filly was unsuccessful last season at this level in the ONT Fashion Stakes, the maturity has brought her around and she should do well at this higher level. She has finished in the top three now in nine of her ten starts.

A four way photo would determine third on back at the line with Oquinn Farm’s Miss Myers staking claim to the prize. This is her third Grade III event, now with a win and two thirds.

The minor share would go to Cry Out ( D J C Racing Stables ) who made a brilliant move to the outside of the turn for home and was full of run to the line. This is just her second start in Grade III company, and seems to prefer an off surface. See what happens in her next offering.

Placing in a dead heat for fifth would be Im Working On It ( Smokey Stover ) and Morning Tea. Im Working On It is living up to her name, and is on the rebuild once again. As for Morning Tea, she was unable to keep the early speed alive to capture the victory.

Post time favorite Down And Out ( Mb Stables ) was exactly that for this affair. The five year old mare has only one win in eight Graded company starts, and may need a few non graded events to rebuild her confidence.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES