Sense of Style, a convincing winner of the seven-furlong Spinaway Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga last month, figures to be a very short price against five rivals in Sunday's Matron Stakes (gr. I) at a mile at Belmont Park.
Sense of Style, a daughter of Thunder Gulch out of the Kings Lake mare Save Me the Waltz, is a perfect two-for-two in her career, having broken her maiden in her debut by 2 1/2 lengths earlier in the Saratoga meet. Her pedigree suggests she'll have no trouble stretching out to a mile.
Bred in Kentucky by Twelve Oaks Stud, Sense of Style is owned by Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. A $375,000 Keeneland November weanling, Sense of Style was also an $800,000 Keeneland September sale yearling last year.
In the Spinaway, Sense of Style tracked the early pace before putting away her rivals by an impressive 6 3/4 lengths. She is trained by Patrick Biancone.
Another two-time winner in the Matron field is Balletto, a maiden winner at Belmont Park on July 18 and an allowance winner at Saratoga on Aug. 2. It's of interest that Balletto, bred and owned by Darley Stable, was foaled in the United Arab Emirates. By Timber Country, Balletto is out of the Nijinsky II mare Destiny Dance. She is trained by Tom Albertrani.
The Nick Zito-trained Graceful Nancy breaks from the rail. Owned by Robert LaPenta, the daughter of
Maria's Mon failed to meet her reserve at this year's OBS Select sale of 2-year-olds in training. A year ago, a similar thing happened to another of LaPenta's horses with a colt named The Cliff's Edge.
Matron Stakes (gr. I), 2-year-old fillies, one mile, $300,000, Belmont Park, Sunday, Sept. 19. Approx. post time 4:12 p.m. EDTPP -- Horse -- Jockey
1 -- Graceful Nancy -- Javier Castellano
2 -- Balletto -- Aaron Gryder
3 -- Play With Fire -- Pablo Fragoso
4 -- Sense of Style -- John Velazquez
5 -- Summer Raven -- John Velazquez
6 -- Darn That Girl -- Shaum Bridgmohan
