Concrete Rose blooms in Belmont Oaks Invitational victory

Concrete Rose, defeated by Newspaperofrecord in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juveniles Fillies, is getting the last laugh and then some in a rivalry that’s becoming more lopsided the longer these fillies run.

In Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, Concrete Rose sat a stalking trip and stormed by pace-setting Jodie in the stretch to win with relative ease under jockey Julien Leparoux.

"I knew at the quarter-pole, I had a lot left," Leparoux said. "She made a big run at the end."

Meanwhile, Newspaperofrecord was taken back by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., ran rank through the first half of the race and had nothing when the real running began for the 8-5 favorite.

"It was no fault of Irad's," said trainer Chad Brown. "The filly just wouldn't cooperate. So, we tried it, it didn't work, and that's that."

Rusty Arnold-trained Concrete Rose hit the wire in a snappy 1:59.97 for 1 1/4 miles on firm turf at Belmont Park, where Saturday’s race kicked off the New York Racing Association’s new Turf Tiara, a series of races for 3-year-old fillies. It continues Aug. 2 with the Saratoga Oaks and concludes Sept. 7 with the Jockey Club Oaks back at Belmont.

Behind Concrete Rose, Just Wonderful rallied for second and Cambier Parc third. Jodie held on for fourth in the field of nine.

Fractions went in 24.29, 49.16 and 1:14.14 to open proceedings as Concrete Rose sat patiently, waiting for Leparoux. As for that final dash to the wire?

"You're hoping for it," Arnold said, "but she impressed me."

The race's 5-2 second betting choice returned $7.80 to win.

By Twirling Candy, Concrete Rose runs for Ashbrook Farm and BBN Racing. She’s now 5-for-6 in her career and entered off a victory on Kentucky Derby weekend in Churchill Downs’ Edgewood (G3), another race in which she defeated Newspaperofrecord.

Arnold said Concrete Rose figures to continue on in the Turf Tiara, saying, "it's a great series."