Separationofpowers Puts Away Bed o' Roses Rivals
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Owner Seth Klarman leads Separationofpowers to the winner's circle Friday at Belmont Park
After breaking well from the outside post, grade 1 winner Separationofpowers had little trouble securing her first victory against older foes in the $245,000 Bed o' Roses Invitational Stakes (G3) June 7 at Belmont Park.
Jockey Jose Ortiz took advantage of the good start, and the classy filly quickly settled on the front end through a quarter-mile in :22.49 and a half-mile in :45.04 while pursued by Spring in the Wind and Pacific Gale, who finished second in the Vagrancy Handicap (G3) last out, where Separationofpowers was third.
The Vagrancy was the first start of the season for Klaravich Stables' Separationofpowers, and that 6 1/2-furlong effort May 11 at Belmont appeared to benefit her Friday. The 4-year-old daughter of Candy Ride was unchallenged through the stretch and scored a 4 3/4-length victory. Trained by Chad Brown, Separationofpowers completed seven furlongs in 1:21.46 on a fast track.
"She got a lot out of her last race, and she really moved forward today," Brown said. "Jose took control early, and I think that proved to be a good decision today."
Even-money favorite Chalon closed to finish second, never seriously threatening the winner, and Dawn the Destroyer rallied to finish third.
Picking up her fourth win in nine starts, Separationofpowers returned $7.80, $3, and $2.60. Chalon, who just missed winning last year's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), paid $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Dawn the Destroyer returned $3.40 to show.
"She broke really well today," Ortiz said. "Last time she ran, she probably needed that race under her belt to make the difference today. I've ridden her for her entire career. She's a very gutsy filly and she has a lot of heart, and that's what we're looking for in fillies."
Separationofpowers won grade 1 races at age 2 and 3, taking the 2017 Frizette Stakes at Belmont and last year's Longines Test Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. She was bred in Kentucky by Northwest Farms out of the Empire Maker mare Shehadmefromhello and was a $190,000 purchase by de Meric Stables from Greenfield Farm's consignment to the 2015 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Brown said she would next be pointed to the $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina Stakes (G1) Aug. 24 at Saratoga.
Video: Bed o' Roses Invitational S. (G3)
In the $150,000 Tremont Stakes for 2-year-olds, Reddam Racing's Fore Left made the trip from Southern California worth the travel expenses.
Opening a clear lead through a quarter-mile in :22.58 under Mario Gutierrez, Fore Left cruised to a 4 1/2-length victory as the 8-5 favorite in his stakes debut, completing Friday's 5 1/2-furlong test in 1:04.44. The Twirling Candy colt scored a narrow victory in his maiden special weight debut May 19 at Santa Anita Park for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Fore Left with Mario Gutierrez
Bred in Kentucky by Machmer Hall, Fore Left is the first starter out of the Unbridled's Song mare Simply Sunny, who is a half sister to stakes winner and Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Reveron. Consigned by Machmer Hall, Select Sales agent, Fore Left sold for $97,000 to Redwings at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Theitalianamerican rallied to finish second, with Kentucky Juvenile Stakes winner Rookie Salsa finishing third.