Regis Racing's Zindaya earned her second straight stakes win when she pulled away from the pack to take the $150,000 Intercontinental Stakes (VIDEO) at Belmont Park June 4.
Pressing the pace of longshot Believe in Charlie from the start, Zindaya opened up on the pack through the lane under Manuel Franco to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths over favored Marbre Rose, who had to steady in traffic on the turn for home. Both horses are trained by Christophe Clement.
Believe in Charlie ran the half-mile in :46.61 before Zindaya took command at the top of the stretch and finished off the seven-furlong grass test in 1:22.17 on a turf course rated good.
"I told (Franco) before the race to just be careful with the pace scenario. It's not the same—it's not a six-furlong race anymore," Clement said. "I thought seven-eighths was fine. She ran a mile last year in California. She almost got the mile, so I was pretty sure she could get the seven-eighths today."
It was the fourth win from nine starts for Zindaya, a 4-year-old filly by More Than Ready , upping her career earnings to $286,740. She was bred in Kentucky by Grapestock.
"I just followed Mr. Clement's instructions," Franco said. "He said if someone wants to go, just sit behind them and save the horse until the very end, because today is seven furlongs and she's won at six. We did it. I feel comfortable with her. I know her and she's a nice filly."
The winner returned $12.20, $5.40, and $3.80 across the board as the 5-1 third choice. Marbre Rose paid $3.10 and $2.50, while Distorted Beauty returned $4 to show.
Dauphine Russe got up to finish fourth and was followed by Kune Kune, Token of Love, Radiator, Carolina Shag, Ecstatic Miss, Believe in Charlie, and Lemon Point.
A Little Bit Sassy, Devilish Love, and Shrinking Violet were all early scratches.
Zindaya wins the Intercontinental Stakes.
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