(Chart, Equibase)
Salute, a 2-year-old daughter of Unbridled out of the undefeated champion Personal Ensign, ran an encouraging second as the 4-5 favorite in her debut Sunday at Belmont Park.Ridden by Edgar Prado, Salute rallied while four wide coming out of the turn to finish 2 1/4 lengths behind Hanging Chads in the $45,000 maiden special weight event for fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs.The bay filly is a half sister to Kentucky sire Our Emblem and grade I winners Miner's Mark, Traditionally, and My Flag, the dam of champion Storm Flag Flying.Owned and bred by Ogden Mills Phipps and trained by Shug McGaughey, Salute started from the extreme outside in the 11-horse field. She was unhurried early while racing on the outside of her rivals. Coming out of the turn, Hanging Chads, ridden by Richard Migliore, angled out to get the lead as Salute moved into contention behind her. In the stretch run, Hanging Chads, a daughter of Dixie Union who was second in her debut at Saratoga Aug. 18, drew clear to lead by about two lengths and maintained her advantage when roused a furlong from home.Hanging Chads, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for White Fox Farm, completed the distance in 1:18. She was the 4-1 second choice and paid $10, $3.10 and $2.70. Salute returned $2.70 and $2.40. Just a Little Jet, ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, finished five lengths behind the winner in third and paid $4.20.