Street Babe Poised for Memorable Fall
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After having a forgettable late spring and early summer, Anstu Stables' Street Babe could be poised for a more memorable fall.
That's the thinking of trainer Michael Dilger, whose 4-year-old gelding ended a three-race losing streak Wednesday at the Spa, rallying four wide for a half-length victory over Noble Moon in the 1 1/8-mile optional claiming allowance.
"He ran a good race the other day," Dilger said. "It seems like he's coming back around. It was nice to see."
It was the first win for Street Babe, a son of 2006 juvenile male champion and 2007 Kentucky Derby hero Street Sense since opening his 2015 campaign with a three-quarter-length triumph in the Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds.
From there, he was beaten a combined 71 ¾ lengths when finishing seventh in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, ninth in the Mountainview Handicap at Penn National, and sixth in the Grade 2 Suburban July 4 at Belmont Park.
"For every race, individually, there was something that went wrong. It's just unfortunate that the three of them came back-to-back," Dilger said. "It's fair to say at Charles Town, he didn't like the tight track. He's a big horse and he had broken so well in the Mineshaft and being so tactical, I thought maybe he might be able to handle a smaller track, but he didn't.
"We went to Penn National and it was just a strange day over there," he added. "There was a long delay in the paddock and then he was a little reluctant to lead. They were unsure of the weather that day so the track was sealed. He's a very nice horse, but there were enough bumps in the road that day where he just didn't show his true form. The last one, he and Coach Inge got into a speed duel and he got burned up very quickly. If you look at each race on its own, you can understand why it might not have worked out the way it should."
In his Wednesday win, Street Babe broke from post 5 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez and was able to navigate an ideal trip, finding a clear lane outside of horses to run down Noble Moon in mid-stretch.
"It was the first day where he was on the outside, where he likes to be," Dilger said. "He got a very good ride, as well, and that has to be said. Johnny really, really rode him very well, plus he's been training well. He likes it here."
With only 16 racing dates left this summer, Dilger said Street Babe is likely to make his return during Belmont Park's fall championship meet.
"He seems to run better fresh. That seems to be a key to him," he said. "I suppose we'll point for something at Belmont, whether it's another allowance race or whether we go back into stakes company. We haven't really decided yet."
Source: NYRA Communications
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