Lady Eli Exits Belmont Oaks in Good Order

Trainer Chad Brown saddled five runners between the Grade 1, $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational and Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks Invitational on Saturday at Belmont Park, but needed only one, Lady Eli, to make the second annual Stars & Stripes Day a memorable one.

Sheep Pond Partners' Lady Eli turned in a brilliant performance in the Belmont Oaks - a race Brown won last year with Minorette. The dark bay filly was parked wide for much of the 1 ¼-mile turf affair and unleashed a devastating late kick in the stretch, skipping past 13 other 3-year-old fillies to prevail by 2 ¾ lengths.

"It was a great day," said Brown. "I was very impressed with her and thankfully she looked good this morning. We'll just keep marching onward and upward."

Lady Eli kept her perfect record intact with her victory in the Oaks, and now has six career wins with earnings just shy of $1.5 million. According to Brown, the daughter of Divine Park's next major objective will be the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup this fall at Keeneland, with a possible start in the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, also at Keeneland, to follow.

In addition to Lady Eli, Brown sent out fourth-place finisher Strict Compliance, who dead-heated with Sentiero Italia, and sixth-place finisher Consumer Credit in the Oaks. Brown said he was pleased with the way they performed and both exited the race in good shape.

In the Belmont Derby, Brown saddled Startup Nation and Takeover Target, who finished third and fifth, respectively. Startup Nation found himself a bit closer to the pace than usual, but was no match for runaway winner Force the Pass. Takeover Target, the 6-1 third choice, was compromised by a tepid early pace and finished a neck behind his stablemate.

"I figured with the lack of pace Startup Nation would be more forwardly placed," said Brown. "He sat a good trip, as did Takeover Target, who maybe was in a little tight but they both got out in the clear and ran well."

Both horses emerged in fine fettle, according to Brown, and one of the two is likely for the Grade 3, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on August 7 at Saratoga Race Course.

Source: NYRA Communications