New York Bred Wins Fashion; Omen for Belmont?

Rodeo Licious burst out of the gate and led every step of the way to take the first stakes race of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) weekend, the Fashion Stakes for juvenile fillies.

Perhaps the win was an omen, with Rodeo Licious being the only New York-bred in the six-horse field. On Saturday, New York-bred Funny Cide will attempt to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner.

The Fashion was already the fourth start in the young career of Rodeo Licious, by Rodeo out of the Reckless Blade mare Shorty's Promise. She is owned by Out Blue Streakes Stable and Pre K Stable and trained by Carl Deville. She was ridden by Richard Migliore.

Rodeo Licious outbroke the field and she was never challenged, winning by 1 ½ lengths. She covered the five furlongs in:58.19 having cut fractions over a muddy track of :21.88 and :45.26.

The winner paid $16.20, $5.80 and $2.10. Renaissance Lady was second the entire trip and returned $3.60 and $2.10. Favored Bikini Wiggle was third and paid $2.10.

Rodeo Licious was bred in New York by Glenn Brok and sold as a yearling at Saratoga for $25,000.