Partisan Politics Unleashes Strong Rally in Pebbles

Partisan Politics showed a new dimension as she unleashed a powerful late kick to win the $200,000 Pebbles, the holiday feature on Monday at Belmont Park.

 

Ridden by Javier Castellano, Partisan Politics broke well, settling in third position to the inside, five lengths off Isabella Sings, who led the field of eight 3-year old fillies through an opening quarter-mile in 22.96, with the half going in a respectable 45.90 seconds over the firm turf. Going three wide into the backstretch, the chestnut filly tracked the pace going three-quarters of a mile in 1:10:13. Given her cue on the turn, Partisan Politics swung four-wide to the center of the course and took over from Devine Aida midway through the stretch. The Klaravich Stables color-bearer dug in and held through the final furlong to win by 1 ½ lengths.

 

"I had a beautiful trip," said Castellano. "She broke well out of the gate and fell into a great stalking position. The pace was pretty quick and it set up perfect for my horse. She's a really nice filly. She always tries and today she put in a good effort.

 

"Lately, I've been breaking a little slow," added Castellano. "My goal today was to be close to the pace, involved in the race, and be a little more aggressive. She's the kind of horse you need to be in good position and going strong. I was a little aggressive today and it paid off. She finished really well."

 

Partisan Politics' winning time for the one-mile distance was 1:34:43.

 

"Javier gave her a great trip," said trainer Partisan Politics' trainer Chad Brown. "She was really more strung out than I initially thought, but she got a good pace to run into today and it was nice to get the win. She prefers to have a target to run at and she might've made the lead a little soon, but he stayed after her and she finished off the race real well."

 

The victory was the first of the year and the second stakes win for Partisan Politics, who entered the Pebbles off a narrow loss to Stormy Regatta in the Risakaverse on August 27 at Saratoga Race Course.

 

Sent off as the 5-2 co-favorite, Partisan Politics returned $7.00 on a $2 wager as she extended her record to 2-2-1 from 8 starts. With the winner's purse of $120,000, the daughter of More Than Ready's bankroll now stands at $248,300.