With just eight career starts to her credit, Hopewell Tradition ( Team 7 Illusions ) added victory number four over the turf, and I don’t think she may ever see the dirt again. Will she ever be as famous as Dogma or Bronze Sabre? Or as Fillies and Mares go, a Donna Jean or Flambetta? That question has yet to be answered.

• BEL Oaks ( Grade I ) Purse $750.000
• Belmont Park – For Three year old Fillies
• Mile and a Quarter- Inner Turf course
• July 6th, 2019.

Jockey R Bejarano may have kept her a little tighter in the Gr. III Gallorette Stakes, but sitting between horses down the backstretch keeping a keen eye on the front runner, he would ask Hopewell Tradition to start to attack, and she even gave him more then he was expecting. ” She seem to hesitate slightly out of the gate, so i took her back and to the rail through the clubhouse turn and allowed her to progress up on a few runners, ” rider Bejarano stated following the race. ” I seen Good For Nowt ( Diablo Diablo) passing horses quickly on the outside, but I tucked my filly in between 46 And Two ( Fractious ) and Holualoa ( Smokey Stover ) at the midpoint of the back stretch.” When I called upon her as we were entering the far turn, it was like she was already taking command of what she wanted to do, I was just along for the ride!” Hopewell Tradition would position herself outside of Diluted ( Mb Stables ) and Keep The Treasure ( Mb Stables ) as they hit the front stretch, and would take command of the race with a furlong to run.

This was her third straight victory on the grass since returning from the FG Oaks event on the dirt, and Bejarano’s second victory in the irons. ” I hope JR looks to use me more in her future, she is a beautiful runner!” She now has over $676.000 in career earnings, and has moved her World Ranking to 111 points, placing her fourth, two points back of her half sister Nancy Broom Moytoy for Turf Route fillies.

Charging up late and almost stealing the show would be Estero Farms’ Proud Eights who would close to within a length of the winner. Like the winner, was content on staying near the back early. ” I knew that Hopewell would be the one to watch here, ” jockey Pennington said in his interview. ” I tried to stay right behind her and fire when she fired.” ” As we hit the far turn I kind of got bounced around and lost a little ground, but as the field fanned out off the turn for home, a hole opened up and i wasn’t going to hesitate.” Since coming into the Graded class events, Proud Eights has finished three for three in the top three. We should definitely see more from her.

The show money was placed in the hands of Mb Stables with the efforts of Keep The Treasure down the lane. I personal didn’t place much stock in this filly, not only because she had no stakes experience, but figured she would try a front running effort and start to fade with the distance. That’s what I get for consulting those tea leaves before an event! She has definitely earned the respect at her barn, as well as with this writer. I’m keen to see where she goes from her. Keep me updated Dan.

The final share would go to another Mb Stables entry by the name of Easier Said. Was dead last coming off the final turn for home with two furlongs to run, and made the most of a late kick to close to within two lengths at some 10-1 odds. Quite a feat for a runner who had to break from the twelve hole and still manage a share. While she seems to prefer the mile as the distance of choice, would be interesting to see how she would handle 12 panels.

Completing the field for this event;

46 And Two ( Fractious )- At one point was matching strides with the winner, then found herself in a group of runners two lengths shy. She did go off as the 9-2 post time favorite.

Cest And Me ( D J C Racing Stables ) While he shone brightly here at this track in the Wonder Again, field size here may have played a factor in the outcome today. That’s O.k, trainer took home two other graded titles here this weekend. He will survive.

Tightrope Walker ( Diablo Diablo ) This was only her third start on the grass, and she managed to close to within three. Landeros may have held her back just a little too long for her to be effective.

Illustrious Cat ( Chili King Stables ) To start with, she was starting from the thirteen hole out of the gate which is a task in itself, but she was still gallant with an effort to place eighth by three.

Holualoa ( Smokey Stover ) Found herself rubbing shoulders with the eventual winner down the back stretch, but stayed three back with a second group of runners. Still young at racing experience with just five starts, so maturity and time here should help with her future.

Diluted ( Mb Stables ) J R Velasquez tried all he could to keep this bay filly on top for the opening eight panels, but a storm of runners came a calling and it would find her in tenth, four shy of the winner. This was only her second start for this new owner, but he will get her figured out, you can count on that.

Folsom Tradition ( Team 7 Illusions ) – Five furlongs is definitely this sophomores candy. Has been struggling at these longer distance events and hopefully that will change with experience and maturity. Her genetics says she should blossom, the question is when will it be for her.

Good For Nowt ( Diablo Diablo ) Was making some strong headway down the back stretch getting up to third quickly through the half and three quarter marks of this event, just was unable to sustain that effort throughout the entire race.

Island Breeze ( Chili King Stables ) This was just her first effort off the shelf for her new interests, and while that general works well at turning a corner and placing well, she may have used up her reserves early. Wilson usually can bring a horse home late, just wasn’t enough in the tank to do damage.She was eleven lengths shy in the end.

Duffer

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES