Belmont Park: Ava K. stays perfect in sprints with Bouwerie Stakes score

ELMONT, N.Y. – Different stakes, same result as Ava K. captured the $98,000 Bouwerie for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies Sunday at Belmont Park.

On June 3, Ava K. beat Miss Valentine, with Hot Danger third, in Belmont’s Wandering Cloud Stakes. That trio returned for the Bouwerie, and they finished in the exact same order.

With the victory, Ava K. improved to 4 for 4 in sprints, emerging as a leader in her statebred division.

This was a more emphatic victory. She held off Miss Valentine by a half-length in the Wandering Cloud. The Bouwerie margin was a decisive 4 1/2 lengths.

The time was 1:24.17 for the seven furlongs on the fast track, with Ramon Dominguez aboard for trainer Mike Hushion.

The Bouwerie shared co-billing on the card with its colt and gelding counterpart, the $100,000 Mike Lee Stakes.