Sentiero Italia Adds the Sands Point (G2)
Offer a $500,000 purse for a grade two turf race and you can expect a quality field to show up. That’s exactly what happened at Belmont Park for the 21st running of the Sands Point (G2). Sentiero Italia backed up her victory in the Lake Placid (G2) with a very impressive win against a field of ten that included four very talented European invaders.
In their most recent starts the four Europeans had run very well in group three stakes and the American contingent included a rematch between Miss Temple City and Sentiero Italia, along with Mrs. McDougal who had won the Lake George (G2). The Belmont Park inner turf course was listed as good and there was some rain falling, producing conditions that should have been to the Euros’ liking. In the end, Sentiero Italia drew off to a 3 ¾ length victory over Irish-bred Blonde Me, who was the best finisher for the horses from across the pond. Miss Temple City got third place and Tapitry was in fourth.
The pace setter in the mile and an eighth race was Cara Marie, who quickly got to the hedge and opened up a two-length lead. She was able to stay on the lead for the first six furlongs while laying down fractions of 24.66, 49.01, and 1:13.53. All the while jockey Joel Rosario, who would win five races on this Saturday card, had Sentiero Italia a lot closer to the leader than in her last victory. Rival Miss Temple City sat just behind them.
Heading into the final turn, Sentiero Italia inherited the lead as Cara Marie began to fade. Rosario was the able to open up as easy lead from Miss Temple City, "I ended up on the lead and took it from there. She was very comfortable. She was galloping along. She's honest. She gives it when you ask her, she just keeps going. I was happy I was a little closer because last time it took just a little bit of time to get her into the race and then she just runs all day."
The victory was the first in the Sands Point for both Rosario and Godolphin’s trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. She's a really nice filly and Joel did a great job with her [today],” said McLaughlin. “I didn't expect her to be that close, but [Joel] made a good decision and was just going easy. I was surprised to see her that close but I was happy turning for home. She had her issues early in her career but she's gotten good. Once we got her going she hasn't had any issues; she's run every race we've pointed for. She's top shelf."
Sentiero Italia upped her career stats to 6: 4-0-0 and the $300,000 winner’s share of the purse upped her earnings to $621,100. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Keeneland could be next for her.