Hilda's Passion Runs Away With Ballerina
Hilda's Passion broke alertly and never
looked back as she rolled to a 9 ¼-length victory in Saturday's 33rd
running of the Grade 1, $250,000 Ballerina at Saratoga Race Course.
With
Javier Castellano in the irons, the 4-year-old Canadian Frontier filly
zipped through fractions of 22.83, 45.43 and 1:09.19, leaving her five
rivals far behind as she streaked under the wire in 1:22.06 for the
seven furlongs.
The victory was her fourth from seven
starts this year, and in addition to the $180,000 winner's purse Hilda's
Passion earned a guaranteed berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare
Sprint as part of the "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge.
"It
was pretty straightforward," said Todd Pletcher, who trains Hilda's
Passion for Starlight Racing and Charles Glasscock. "We wanted to be on
the lead, she broke great, and when she's on her game, she's awfully,
awfully good."
Hilda's Passion returned $7.10 as the 5-2 second choice.
Tar Heel Mom was second, followed by Tamarind Hall, Bronx City Girl, Devil by Design, and favored Sassy Image, who bolted.
"She
just wanted to run to the outside fence, all the way around," said Dale
Romans, trainer of the beaten favorite. "She's never done anything like
that before. Hopefully she's OK."