Just A Game for License Fee

The successful team of trainer Elliott Walden and rider Pat Day teamed up with the 6-year-old mare License Fee to capture the $175,000 Grade III Just A Game Breeders' Cup Handicap over a mile on the Belmont Park turf. License Fee was sent off as the slight 2-1 favorite in the field of 12. Owned by WinStar Farm, License Fee won for the 16th time in 42 lifetime starts. She has earned nearly $1.2 million in her career.

Longshot Crystal Sea left the gate running, and led the others until they left the turn and straightened for home. License Fee began well, and then was taken back to fourth position by Day. Truebreadpudding and Song For Annie chased the leader through fractions of :22.83, :45.60, and 1:09.18. Crystal Sea had no respond down the lane when she was tackled by License Fee to the inside and Shopping For Love and Veil of Avalon to the outside. License Fee stuck a game neck in front and would not be denied. She was a short head better than Shopping For Love, with Veil of Avalon third. License Fee paid $6.60 for the win, accomplished in 1:32.62 for the mile.

License Fee, a daughter of Black Tie Affair out of the Deputy Minister mare Star Deputy, was bred in Ontario, Canada, by Pedigree Farms Inc. (Chart, Equibase)