Happy Like a Fool much the best in Belmont's Matron Stakes

Trainer Wesley Ward cross-entered Happy Like a Fool in Saturday’s Futurity Stakes against males and Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Matron Stakes with the fillies.

The decision to wait paid off at Belmont Park, where the daughter of Distorted Humor won the Matron with ease as a 3-5 favorite in a field of five.

Happy Like a Fool hit the front at the top of the stretch and went on to take the feature in similar fashion to Enable, the Chad Brown-trained colt who won Saturday’s Futurity.

The final time for the Matron was 1:10.98 with Tyler Gaffalione aboard the winner, owned by Merriebelle Stable and the well-known Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Mangier.

"The filly broke real sharp," Gaffalione said. "Wesley said just place her wherever she wants to be. He said he'd been working her behind horses so it shouldn't be any problem, wherever she's comfortable. And he said she's been working like a monster and she came out here and ran like a monster today."

Take Charge Paula steadied in the stretch to run 2nd with Valuable Package well back in 3rd.

Happy Like a Fool’s effort outlasted an objection by the runner-up’s connection, as she shifted in a bit entering the stretch. The stewards ruled for no change.

It was a bounce-back victory for Happy Like a Fool, who won in her debut last April at Keeneland before running overseas for Ward in Group 2 company at Ascot and York.

"I had her in Florida before any of her starts," Ward said. "She showed an affinity for the turf, so that's why she ran in England, but I do think she's better on the dirt. She ran on the grass because she's a good filly. She has the physique of a sprinter and the mother was a sprinter so we'll see what happens as we look further from this."

The filly returned $3.20 on a $2 wager.

By Jonathan Lintner