Apologynotaccepted better prepared to show her best
ELMONT, N.Y. – Apologynotaccepted will seek to make amends for losing as a 1-2 favorite last time out when she heads a field of six fillies and mares scheduled to run a mile in a $77,000, first-level allowance race Sunday at Belmont Park.
Yes, following Saturday’s 13-race, 8 1/2-hour Belmont Stakes card, there will be a 10-race Sunday program, with post time reverting back to its regular 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
Apologynotaccepted, a 5-year-old daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus, didn’t debut until March at Gulfstream Park. She proved worth the wait, galloping to a 16-length victory, running six furlongs in 1:09.89, and earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.
She worked back once after that race, and then owner-breeder Happy Alter sold a majority interest in Apologynotaccepted to Gary Barber and Adam Wachtel. The mare was transferred to trainer Bill Mott.
In her first start for her new connections, Apologynotaccepted finished second in an allowance race at Keeneland, three lengths behind 21-1 Contrasting, who led every step of the way. Apologynotaccepted chased Contrasting all the way and finished six lengths ahead of the third-place finisher.
“The rhythm of the training wasn’t ideal,” Mott said. “We worked her one time and ran her. There had been a sale, she missed training, and we shipped. If you’re a sheet guy, you could have said she could have bounced off her fast early number, but she seems to be doing well.”
After the Keeneland race, Apologynotaccepted shipped to Belmont, where she has put in five workouts.
“She’s been training steadily, and we’ve had no setbacks,” Mott said. “The rhythm of the training for us has been a little better this go-around.”
Apologynotaccepted, who will be ridden by John Velazquez, looms the controlling speed on paper. She breaks from post 5.
It’s a competitive field that includes debut winner Stella Rose, recent maiden winner Going for Broke, and recent allowance runners-up A Few Good Friends and Wembley. In Spite of Mama, a three-time winner against New York-breds, completes the field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Apologynotaccepted, by Fusaichi Pegasus
Beyers: 81-96
◗ She tries a mile for the first time, but her pedigree suggests it shouldn’t be an issue.
“The way she’s bred, the way she looks, the way she trains, she should go on,” Mott said. “It’s going to be a little bit of a learning experience for us.”
Stella Rose, by Mineshaft
Beyer: 70
◗ She was a perfect-trip winner against just three rivals in her only start, which came at a mile.
◗ She gets Lasix for the first time.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the last three years, trainer Christophe Clement is 6 for 14 with a $4.64 ROI with runners coming off a win and then getting Lasix for the first time.
Going for Broke, by Blame
Beyers: 79-58
◗ Was a winner in the slop the second time out after finishing second in her debut as the 6-5 favorite. Her win came going a mile.