Saratoga: Beautiful But Blue beats elders in Fleet Indian

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - With limited options to run in races restricted to New York-bred 3-year-old fillies, trainer Tom Bush had to run Beautiful But Blue against older fillies and mares in Wednesday's $100,000 Fleet Indian Stakes at Saratoga.

Showing little regard for her elders, Beautiful But Blue, the only 3-year-old in the field, ran away from the 5-year-old Risky Rachel in midstretch and drew clear to a 2 3/4-length victory in the Fleet Indian. Risky Rachel, the even-money favorite, held second by 1 1-2 lengths over Miss Valentine.

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The win was the fifth from eight starts for Beautiful But Blue, a daughter of El Corredor owned and bred by Chester and Mary Broman and trained by Tom Bush. It was her fifth consecutive victory on dirt. She had run in a turf race back in May for lack of a better option on dirt.

"We had to try them - she's just a little extra-special," Bush said. "Not that many of them can do that. We're really happy the way this filly has gone."

Under Junior Alvarado, Beautiful But Blue raced in the second flight just outside of Opus A while Risky Rachel sparred with Devilish Spirit through an opening quarter in 22.95 seconds.

Beautiful But Blue moved into second entering the far turn, engaged Risky Rachel outside the quarter pole, then pulled away in the stretch. Beautiful But Blue covered the seven furlongs in 1:22.43 and returned $15.