Bright Abundance Gets Grade in Noble Damsel

Bright Abundance won her third straight on Belmont Park's Widener Turf Course Saturday, a half-length victory over favored My Lordship in the $150,000 Noble Damsel Handicap (gr. IIIT) for fillies and mares at a mile.

A 4-year-old daughter of Quiet American who began her career in France, Bright Abundance remained undefeated on the Belmont layout while recording her first graded stakes victory.

"As bad as things went the last time I rode her in Saratoga, was as well as everything went today," said jockey Richard Migliore, who guided Bright Abundance to a seventh-place finish in a division of the De La Rose at the Spa on Aug. 11.

"She broke clean (today) and got her spot. I was on a lot of horse the whole way, and that makes a jockey's life easy."

Longshot Fortunate Damsel broke from the inside, and with the rail set out nine feet, set the pace on the firm course of :23 4/5, :46 3/5 and 1:10 1/5 before surrendering the lead to Path of Thunder.

Migliore, however, had his mount in a steady drive from the outside and they fended off My Lordship and Asti, who had made a move on the inside. The final time was 1:33 4/5.

She returned $15.60, $6.40, and $4.20. My Lordship returned $3.40 and $2.80. The Irish-bred Asti was $6.40 to show.

Bright Abundance entered the day with two wins and two seconds from six starts in the United States this year. Her two seconds, both at Monmouth, were by a half-length and a neck.

"She's been unlucky all year long," said trainer Christophe Clement. "She's a good filly. She really likes the one-turn mile at Belmont. Richie gave her a great stalking ride."

Bright Abundance earned $90,000 for owners Jon and Sarah Kelly, Don and Joan Cimpl, and Jim and Joan Wiltz. She notched her fifth win in 18 starts while banking $231,653.

Path of Thunder was fourth, followed by Stupendous Miss, Humoristic, River Belle, Sabellina, Cloakof Vaguensess, Fortunate Damsel, Lentil, and Givememore.

(Chart, Equibase)