Belmont: Frizette gives Sweet Reason chance to prove herself on fast footing

ELMONT, N.Y. – It is the question trainer Leah Gyarmati has been asked most in the month since Sweet Reason splashed her way to a pair of victories in the slop at Saratoga, including the Grade 1 Spinaway.

It is the question handicappers will grapple with when determining on whom to wager in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park.

How will Sweet Reason perform when she races over a fast track?

“I believe she’ll be just as impressive over a fast track as she was over a wet track,” Gyarmati said Thursday. “Of course, you’ll only really know by seeing it, so I guess we’ll know on Saturday.”

Given the weather forecast, Sweet Reason will race over a fast track when she takes on six opponents in the Frizette, a Win and You’re In race for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Sweet Reason, a daughter of Street Sense, was actually entered for the turf in her debut, but rain washed that race to the main track. Breaking from the rail that day and as far back as 18 lengths off the pace early, Sweet Reason rallied to win by 6 1/4 lengths. Sweet Reason has the rail again Saturday, and it is likely, under Alex Solis, she will rally from off the pace again in a race that appears to have ample speed.

“I think her running style will probably evolve,” Gyarmati said. “I don’t think she has to be 20 lengths back for sure, especially going a mile. I don’t think that’s where we’ll be.”

Stopchargingmaria, trained by Todd Pletcher, won her debut impressively over a fast track on opening day at Saratoga before running second to Sweet Reason in the Spinaway.

“We’re hoping that a fast track will hopefully improve ours, let her run to her full capabilities,” Pletcher said. “Sweet Reason has been very, very impressive. The question is, is she as good on a fast track? We’re going to get a chance to find out.”

Artemis Agrotera and Recepta also were impressive in their debut victories at Saratoga. Artemis Agrotera, a New York-bred daughter of Roman Ruler, used her speed to record an 11 3/4-length victory going six furlongs Aug. 16.

“She trained good going into that race, she’s trained better afterward,” trainer Mike Hushion said. “That and her pedigree make me think she’s a horse that will keep going.”

Recepta, a daughter of Speightstown, won her debut by 4 1/2 lengths going seven furlongs on closing weekend at Saratoga.

“She couldn’t be coming into the race any better,” trainer Jimmy Toner said. “She’s training super. It’s a good race to find out where you’re at; we’ll either be staying here or heading west.”

Divided Attention is a half-sister to Folklore, who won the Grade 1 Matron and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies here in 2005. She did win a maiden race going a mile here Sept. 12.

Tea Time, a maiden winner at Belmont on Sept. 15, and Ria Antonia, a filly who makes her dirt debut after racing on synthetics at Woodbine, complete the field.