Homerique Edges Competitionofideas in New York Stakes
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Photo: Rick Samuels
Homerique edges Competitionofideas in the New York Stakes at Belmont Park
The only doubt for trainer Chad Brown late in the $600,000 New York Stakes (G2T) was which of his 4-year-old fillies would be going to the winner's circle June 7.
Peter Brant's Homerique found room in the two path for a stretch rally, while stablemate Competitionofideas rallied wide. The two fillies dueled to the wire from midstretch, with even-money favorite Homerique prevailing by a neck. Homerique completed the 1 1/4-mile race for fillies and mares in 2:00.60 on the firm inner turf.
Giant Zinger led the field of eight through a half-mile in :50.45, six furlongs in 1:14.69, and a mile in 1:37.96. But the race changed complexion near the quarter pole after Homerique tracked the leader through the far turn, then spun just off the inside for room.
"Competitionofideas really ran a great race from the back. She was completely out of position early, which is not uncharacteristic for her, given her lack of early speed," Brown said. "She came around horses and did the best she could to come up short to a really good horse. They're both nice horses. Unfortunately, one of them had to be the loser after running so well, but we gave them the opportunity to both run well and they both did.
"Homerique saved more ground on the turn and had a shorter distance to the wire, but, then again, she had a good amount of energy in reserve. Both horses ran well."
The finish proved to be a near replay of the May 11 Beaugay Stakes (G3T) on the Belmont inner turf, where Homerique held off Klaravich Stables' Competitionofideas, a daughter of Speightstown , by a half-length. That race marked the U.S. debut for Homerique, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Exchange Rate who raced in France and finished third in the Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1).
John O'Connor's Semper Sententiae was a well-beaten third. The 4-year-old daughter of The Factor earned a fourth straight graded stakes placing.
Homerique returned $4, $2.50, and $2.10, and her grade 1-winning stablemate paid $3.10 and $2.50 to place and show. Semper Sententiae returned $3.10 to show.
Video: New York S. (G2T)
It was the second graded stakes score of the day at Belmont for Brown, who sent out Separationofpowers to victory in the Bed o' Roses Invitational Stakes (G3).
Brant was impressed that his filly delivered a second top effort in four weeks.
"She's good and she's done well. She did well in France, too," Brant said. "It was good because it was a little close to the last race, so I was a little concerned, but she's really good. Very high class."
Bred by Nicky and Francois Drion, Homerique is the second starter out of the Congaree mare Chiquita Picosa.
Offered as a weanling at the 2015 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, she failed to attain her reserve in the ring and was next offered at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, where she fared no better and again went unsold. She was eventually purchased by Laurent Benoit's Broadhurst Agency as a 2-year-old for $81,473 at the 2017 Arqana Breeze-Up Sale.
Brown said both fillies are possible for both the grade 1 Diana Stakes (July 13 at Saratoga Race Course) and the grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes (Aug. 10 at Arlington International Racecourse).