Pure Sensation Game in Belmont Turf Sprint

Patricia Generazio's homebred Pure Sensation nipped pacesetter Power Alert at the wire for a game head victory in the inaugural Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational over six furlongs in grass at Belmont Park Oct. 8.

The 2-1 favorite off consecutive grade III turf sprint victories, Pure Sensation and jockey Kendrick Carmouche settled just off Power Alert and Pool Winner early as they went the first quarter in :21.86. Australian-bred Power Alert, ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith for trainer Brian Lynch, continued to set a fast pace, with Pure Sensation a length back along the inside as they completed a half mile in :44.49

Taken three-wide in upper stretch, Pure Sensation was set down for the challenge Power Alert completed five-eighths in :55.63. Those two were neck and neck through the stretch until Pure Sensation put a head in front at the wire, winning in final time of 1:07.10.

The winner returned $6.30, $4.20, and $3.10, while Power Alert was worth $8.10 and $5.30. Green Mask was third, at $3.60. Disco Partner, also a Generazio homebred, finished fourth for trainer Jim Ryerson.

Pure Sensation, winner now of seven of 18 starts for trainer Christophe Clement, improved his bankroll to $838,415. The 5-year-old gelded son of Zensational was coming off a clear victory over Power Alert in the Parx Dash Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 9 at Parx Racing. That effort followed a narrow victory over Disco Partner in the Jaipur Invitational Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 11, also at six furlongs on the Belmont turf.