Jockey Richard Migliore knew that to defeat favored Shine Again in the Floral Par Handicap (gr. III) Saturday at Belmont Park, he would have to move Bauhauser quickly and decisively.Migliore did just that, guiding Bauhauser to a three-quarter-length victory n the six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares. Breaking from the far outside in the field of six, Migliore put Bauhauser right into the mix and sparred with Literary Light and Forest Heiress through an opening quarter mile of :22 and a half of :45.Shine Again was a stalking fourth under jockey Jose Santos, but was in trouble when Bauhauser hit the stretch, when she found her best stride and opened up to win in 1:10 4/5 on the fast track. "To be honest, I wanted to get the jump on Shine Again," Migliore said. "I have beaten her a few times that way with Shawlit Mint and Harmony Lodge. I didn't want to go head and head with her. My only chance was to get the jump on her. My filly showed good speed and I was able to get away at the top of the stretch. I set her down. We got the jump on Shine Again and my filly finished up."Migliore's reward also reflected the work he put into Bauhauser in the mornings. The 5-year-old Numerous mare, an Argentina-bred, was recently purchased by Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and Jo Jones. This was her third start in this country after winning seven of 12 in her native country. "She's been a very nice surprise since the owners bought her, " said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "She got away a bit slow, but put herself in the race early, which is how she likes to run. She's a very game filly who tries very hard. You know she is going to give you all she has. Richard (Migliore) has done a very nice job with her in the mornings. I'm very grateful for him putting the works in her, because she is a bit peculiar with her mouth and he is very comfortable on her, which makes a big difference in the afternoons. I couldn't be any happier with the job he's done with her."As for Shine Again, the crowd and post-time favorite at 1-2, this was her fourth consecutive runner-up finish. She is scheduled to make the last start of her career at Belmont in the $150,000 First Flight Handicap (gr. II) at seven furlongs on Oct. 25. Shine Again will be looking for her third straight First Flight victory.
"I don't want to make any excuses," said Shine Again's Hall of Fame trainer, Allen Jerkens. "She's probably better at seven furlongs. I thought she would beat these horses today."Literary Light was third, followed by Forest Heiress, Raging Fever and Lilah. Bauhauser earned $65,100 for the win while returning $13.20, $3.20 and $2.10. Shine Again paid $2.20 and $2.10. Literary Light's show price was $2.10.(Chart, Equibase)