Paulassilverlining Takes Muddy Gallant Bloom

Vince Scuderi homebred Paulassilverlining edged past pacesetter Momameamaria in the stretch and went on to win the $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap (gr. II), her third graded win this year, Oct. 1 at Belmont Park. 

The 4-year-old Ghostzapper   filly covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.92 on a muddy (sealed) track. She held back New York-bred runner-up Quezon by three-quarters of length and 2015 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) winner Wavell Avenue, who took third, 1 1/2 lengths back.

Paulassilverlining, a half sister to two-time Carter (gr. I) winner Dads Caps, paid $6.50, $3.10, and $2.20 as the 9-5 favorite, Quezon returned $4.20 and $2.90, and Wavell Avenue paid $2.50 to show.

Momamemaria opened a clear lead early, with Paulassilverlining and Wonder Gal chasing just in behind and Wavell Avenue in fifth on the rail.

John Velazquez had Paulassilverlining ready to roll when she went six wide into the stretch, then edged past the drifting front-runner. Quezon rallied on the rail from fourth, holding back Wavell Avenue to take second.

"She made me look good," Velazquez said. "The horse in front of me started drifting just when I started going out. Then I had to go back inside and close the hole. It all worked out. She held on and made me look good."

Winning trainer Michelle Nevin the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (gr. I) could be next for Paulassilverlining, who won the Vagrancy and Distaff (both gr. III) in back-to-back starts this spring before a neck second to Haveyougoneaway in the Honorable Miss (gr. II) July 27 at Saratoga Race Course and then finished fifth to that rival in the Ballerina (gr. I) Aug. 27 at the Spa.

"She always tries," Nevin said. "I don't see why she shouldn't (go to the Breeders' Cup). This filly has shown up all year, except her last race when she was only beaten two lengths and she might not have gotten the trip she really wants. We'll have to discuss things and see what happens."

Bred in Kentucky from the winning Grindstone mare Seeking the Silver, Paulassilverlining has a 7-4-2 record from 16 career starts.

Momameamaria, Wonder Gal, and Fusaichi Red completed the order of finish. Hot City Girl was scratched.