Belle Gallantey gets class relief in Affectionately Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As the only two-time Grade 1 winner and sole member of the triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure club in the field, Belle Gallantey is both the class and the fastest horse in Thursday’s $100,000 Affectionately Stakes, the New Year’s Day feature at Aqueduct.

But after listening to her connections, it’s fair to wonder if Belle Gallantey – claimed for $35,000 in December 2013 – will be at her best when she meets eight rivals in the Affectionately, contested at 1 1/16 miles over the inner track.

After her 8 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1 Beldame at Belmont in September, Belle Gallantey went to Southern California for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and finished ninth behind Untapable. Subsequently, Belle Gallantey went to Kentucky where she was purchased by Gavin Murphy’s and Neil Bowden’s S F Bloodsock for $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November sale. Belle Gallantey was offered to her previous ownership group, headed by Michael Dubb, on a lease basis to run the mare this year “as long she performs the way she’s supposed to,” Dubb said.

Belle Gallantey was returned to trainer Rudy Rodriguez at Aqueduct, where it took a while for her to come around, according to Gustavo Rodriguez, Rudy’s assistant and brother.

“When she went to the sales and she came back, she came back a little beat up,” Gustavo Rodriguez said. “But slowly she’s coming around. Right now we’re very happy with the way she’s coming to the race. If everything stays the way it is right now, she’s going to be all right.”

Belle Gallantey has the outside post and will likely be sent to the lead by Irad Ortiz Jr., who takes over the reins for his brother Jose, who rides Shayjolie.

Major threats to Belle Gallantey include Shayjolie, second in the Grade 3 Comely last out; America, winner of two allowance races; and the Godolphin entry of Penwith and Divided Attention.

KEY CONTENDERS

Belle Gallantey (Last 3 Beyers: 81-103-58)

◗ She has competed in five consecutive Grade 1 races, winning the Delaware Handicap and Beldame while getting beat badly in the Personal Ensign and Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She was fifth in Ogden Phipps, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by winner Close Hatches.

◗ As the 123-pound highweight, she must spot five to seven pounds to the rest of the field.

Shayjolie (Last 3 Beyers: 80-79-82)

◗ She comes out of a second-place finish to loose-on-lead winner Snowbell in the Grade 3 Comely. While compromised by the slow pace, she was aided by being on the inside part of the track.

“The pace was so ridiculous, I couldn’t believe no one went with [Snowbell],” trainer Gary Contessa said. “With a realistic pace, if it materializes, this will be a real acid test for this filly.”

America (Last 3 Beyers: 81-80-76)

◗ She returns to stakes competition after two confidence-building allowance wins, including one against three rivals over the inner track.

Divided Attention (Last 3 Beyers: 66-70-93)

◗ She raced three wide throughout over an inside-speed-favoring surface when sixth in the Comely.

◗ She ran like a filly with a future when she came off a nine-month layoff to win a seven-furlong allowance at Saratoga by 5 1/4 lengths over Shayjolie.