Belmont: Lady Tak scores easily

The connections of Lady Tak are flirting with the idea of running the talented filly in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Nothing she did on Sunday would discourage the pursuit of such a lofty task.

After stalking the pace-setting Molto Vita through a half-mile run in 46.84 seconds, Lady Tak struck the front turning for home and easily cruised to a two-length score in the Grade 2, $150,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park. Molto Vita held second, 4 1/4 lengths ahead of Zawzooth.

Lady Tak, a 4-year-old daughter of Mutakddim, covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.04 and returned $3.60 as the 4-5 choice.

John Velazquez rode the winner, his fourth on the card. It was the third time in five racing days that Velazquez rode four winners at Belmont. On Friday, he rode three.

It was the 10th victory from 17 career starts for Lady Tak, who was coming off a victory in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga on Aug. 29.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said he would talk things over with owner William Heiligbrodt before determining what to do next with Lady Tak. She was scheduled to ship back to Kentucky on Tuesday.