(from Belmont Park report)
My Princess Jess halted a three-race losing streak while beginning her 4-year-old campaign with a 1 3/4-length victory over favored Carribean Sunset in the $109,000 Beaugay (g. IIIT) (VIDEO) over the inner turf course at Belmont Park May 2.
The Lael Stable's daughter of Stormy Atlantic completed the 1 1/16-mile test for fillies and mares in 1:44.83 over good going.
Winner of Saratoga’s Lake George (gr. IIT) last July, My Princess Jess rallied over the center of the course under jockey Cornelio Velasquez after sitting well off a pace of :26.07, :50.57, 1:15.27 and 1:38.97. Are We Dreamin had been the early pacesetter, but was overtaken on the turn by Sunshine for Life, who wilted mid-stretch.
“Cornelio rode her perfectly,” said winning trainer Barclay Tagg. “I told him to tuck her in and wait until she got past the quarter-pole. He started to take a little more position there, which was fine. She really explodes if you wait until she gets past the quarter-pole. She has that quarter-mile in her, no more. She really gives you an explosive quarter-mile.”
Social Queen was a neck behind in third, followed by Sunshine for Life, Scolara, Follow My Dreams, Dyna’s Lassie, Borrowing Base and Are We Dreamin. By the Light, entered for the main-track only, was scratched.
Sent off as the second choice, My Princess Jess collected $65,400 for her connections while paying $6.90, $3.60 and $2.90. The Irish-bred Carribean Sunset returned $3.80 and $3. Social Queen was $5.90 to show.