Belmont Oaks should suit Neige Blanche

ELMONT, N.Y. – Two years ago, trainer Leonard Powell sent a French-bred filly from California to New York for the Belmont Oaks Invitational. While Fatale Bere didn’t run very well that day, finishing sixth, she came back to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks in her next start.

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In a year when many races have been run out of order, Powell is hoping for a similar pattern Saturday when he sends Neige Blanche to New York for the Grade 1, $250,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational. This race comes after Neige Blanche finished fourth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 22.

“I hope we can duplicate that formula reversing the races,” Powell said Wednesday.

Neige Blanche was one of just five horses entered Wednesday for the Belmont Oaks, a 1 1/4-mile turf race restricted to 3-year-old fillies. The race is typically run in July, but this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was pushed back to September. Last year, the Belmont Oaks was the first of three lucrative turf distance races in New York for 3-year-old fillies, including the Saratoga Oaks and Jockey Club Oaks. This year, the Jockey Club Oaks was not carded.

Neige Blanche made the first six starts of her career in France under the guidance of trainer Cedric Rossi. She won three of races, including a Group 3 going 1 3/8 miles on June 6 at Lyon-Parilly.

Powell said he had Neige Blanche for only six weeks when he ran her in the Del Mar Oaks, where she rallied from well off the pace to finish fourth, 2 1/2 lengths behind winner Red Lark.

“They didn’t go too fast,” Powell said. “She was outpaced the first couple of furlongs, then she got into her own tempo and finished well. I think a mile and a quarter on a big track like Belmont should be right up her alley.”

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Neige Blanche arrived in New York on Tuesday and is being looked after by trainer Christophe Clement’s staff.

Jose Lezcano will ride Neige Blanche, who drew post 4.

Inside of Neige Blanche, from the rail out, are Setting the Mood, Magic Attitude, and Key Biscayne. Outside of Neige Blanche is Antoinette, the Saratoga Oaks winner.