Belmont Park: Discreet Marq all the way in Sands Point

ELMONT, N.Y. – Just as pace made the race in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, so it did in Monday’s $200,000 Sands Point, when Discreet Marq established an easy tempo and held off Wave Theory to win the Grade 2 turf race for 3-year-old fillies.

Making her first start in four months since leading to the final strides of the Sweetest Chant for her former trainer Jane Cibelli, Discreet Marq grabbed the lead with Jose Lezcano aboard and loped along through early fractions of 25.57 and 49.64 seconds, with Kitten’s Queen applying token pressure in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Discreet Marq maintained the advantage around the turn as favored Watsdachances ranged up outside after six furlongs in 1:13.46, and she had enough in reserve to fend off Wave Theory by three-quarters of a length.

“That was the plan, not too much to say,” said Lezcano. “She broke good and was in the front. I waited for the final three-sixteenths to make a run and she pulled out a win.”

Behind Wave Theory - who altered course and finished well to make it close - it was another length and one-quarter back to Watsdachances in third. Kitten’s Queen, Caroline Thomas and Unbelievable Dream completed the order of finish.

The fourth stakes winner at the meet for her new trainer Christophe Clement, Discreet Marq ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.56 on a firm inner turf course and paid $7.80 as the second choice.

“I’m a very lucky man,” said Clement. “She came to me at Payson Park two and a half months ago. It’s a bit ambitious to be here, but she was the only speed of the race and (owner Patricia Generazio) was really happy to take the shot. It worked out. She’s a top-class filly, I’m sure of it.”

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