The Beldame – Grade II           

BEL        Race #8       1 1/8m     Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $250.00  For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

This year’s Beldame brings together a compact but high‑quality field of six, mixing seasoned older mares with ambitious 3‑year‑olds stepping into deeper waters. The race lacks a true front‑runner, so tactical positioning, trainer intent, and recent works will be decisive.

Below is a runner‑by‑runner breakdown:

1 – Vanessa (Royalty Stables) – Jockey: Moore R L

Trainer Profile: Royalty Stables is having a strong 2026 season (724 starts, 105 wins), typically producing durable, hard‑knocking mares who hold form through long campaigns.

Form: Vanessa arrives in career‑best shape. Her 2026 campaign (6: 2‑1‑1) includes a G1 win at Oaklawn and competitive efforts in the Phipps and Personal Ensign. She consistently posts mid‑90 speed figures, and her 1⅛‑mile record is excellent.

Works: Her recent work tab is exceptional:

• 17 Sep CD – 5f :58 (1/5)
• 8 Sep CD – 6f 1:11 (3/31)

These are serious, purposeful moves indicating she’s primed for another peak effort.

Summary: It is hard to settle on whether this one is a tough consistent five year old that has achieved appropriate success’s or a potential star that has come up short when trying to bring her best to the track. It looks to me that her running style has been the biggest challenge the trainer has faced as she seems naturally to lack early pace but when the gaming buttons are used she tends to lack her late kick. That makes me fall into the first explanation that she has done the best she can with the limitations of her running style against a race engine that is bias towards early pace most of the time. She is drawn well today so will get every chance and at her best she will be a contender.

2 – Wants It All (Mo Mentum Farm) – Jockey: Velazquez J R

Trainer Profile: Mo Mentum Farm (635 starts, 103 wins) is known for developing high‑class 3‑year‑olds, often peaking them early in the season. Their horses are fit and fast, but older‑mare company can be a tougher ask.

Form: A classy filly with G1 credentials (Ashland win, Oaks placing). However, her last two starts were sprints — a sign the barn may be trying to sharpen her after a flat Belmont Stakes run. Her route form is strong but has dipped slightly since May.

Works:

• 19 Sep BEL – 5f :58 (3/21)
• 30 Aug SAR – 4f :46 (1/3)

These are blistering works, suggesting the trainer is pushing hard to recapture her spring brilliance.

Summary: Dangerous if she rebounds, but must prove she can handle older mares at 9f. She has had a tough season and her last two have been a bit lack luster so I am wary despite the many positives around her. Another that seems to lack a positive running style she gets a draw that will help here and her works along with the three year old weight allowance bring her right into it if she is at her best.

3 – Go For Glory (Mb Stables) – Jockey: Santana R Jr

Trainer Profile: Mb Stables (1981 starts, 521 wins) is the most dominant barn in the game. Their mares are typically well‑spotted, fit, and consistent. They excel in graded routes.

Form: A model of consistency. All 12 career starts have been routes, and she’s hit the board in 8 of them. Her 2026 form (6: 1‑2‑1) includes strong G2/G3 efforts with figures up to 99. She rarely runs a bad race.

Works:

• 5 Sep PRX – 6f 1:10.3 (7/76)
• 31 Aug PRX – 1m 1:36.3 (2/10)

These are stamina‑building works, typical of Mb Stables’ pattern before a 9f assignment.

Summary: Rock‑solid and improving. A genuine threat if the pace is moderate. Being from this yard we know she will be close to the pace, either by default or design. With those inside her likely to start slower she should get to the rail easily and if she can control the pace she may be able to ride the engine and hold on for the win.

4 – Fabulous (Gdp Inc) – Jockey: Alvarado J

Trainer Profile: Gdp Inc (205 starts, 32 wins) tends to bring horses along patiently. Their runners often improve with age and distance.

Form: Lightly raced for a 6‑year‑old, but her Shuvee (G2) run was a breakout performance, earning a 99. Prior form was modest, but she’s clearly taken a step forward this season.

Works:

• 2 Sep PRX – 1m 1:37.2 (2/8)
• 19 Aug PRX – 1m 1:37 (4/16)

Two strong mile works indicate the trainer is building endurance rather than speed.

Summary: Improving, but still needs another leap to beat the top mares. With only nine starts this six year old can definitely be termed as lightly raced and as such she may be reaching a peak in her improvement curve later than most. Her excellent second in the Shuvee last time gives her every chance here.

5 – West Coast Girls (Diablo Diablo) – Jockey: Espinoza V

Trainer Profile: Diablo Diablo (361 starts, 53 wins) produces gritty, consistent runners. Their 3‑year‑olds often stay well and improve through the season.

Form: Very consistent at 9f–10f, with multiple G1 placings. She’s run mid‑90s figures all year and rarely finishes out of the top four. Her Alabama run (2nd) was excellent.

Works:

• 11 Sep PRX – 6f 1:10.3 (3/44)
• 5 Sep SAR – 6f 1:11.1 (23/50)

Strong, steady works showing fitness without being flashy.

Summary: Honest and capable, but may lack the finishing punch of the older mares. I would go so far to say she could end up to be the winner here IF the race engine works for her. With very little early pace it will be tough for her to come from a long way back but she very nearly did that in the grade one Alabama last time. Six races and no wins this year say more about the race engine bias than her ability and if things go right she could certainly win this.

6 – Devil In High Heels (The Sidley Stud) – Jockey: Lopez P

Trainer Profile: The Sidley Stud (1998 starts, 323 wins) is one of the most reliable barns in graded female routes. Their mares are tough, consistent, and peak repeatedly.

Form: The class of the field. Her 2026 season includes multiple G2 wins and a G1 placing. She consistently runs 96–100 figures, handles 1⅛ miles perfectly, and has finished first or second in 6 of her last 8 starts.

Works:

• 11 Sep PRX – 7f 1:23.1 (3/19)

A strong stamina drill — exactly what you want before a 9f graded stake.

Summary: The most complete mare in the race. Tactical, tough, and in form. I would put her in a loose stalk in this race which may work well off a likely average pace as long as she doesn’t give the leader too much of a break on the turn. She is certainly the best mare in this race but has the handicap of the wide draw to overcome.

Race Summary:

Well an interesting race here with just one likely front runner it could turn into a race engine special with Go For Glory leading unchallenged and then sneaking away on the home turn. Devil In High Heels will likely stalk and from there may be best placed off an average pace to run the leader down. I would say West Coast Girls would be my choice if there was some pressure up front and a stronger pace but the race engine could beat her again.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES