Bright Abundance captures Noble Damsel

Earlier in the week, trainer Christophe Clement lost an overnight stakes at Belmont Park by a nose to trainer Bill Mott.

Saturday, Clement exacted some revenge when Bright Abundance got the jump on the Mott-trained My Lordship turning for home and held off that rival by a half-length to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Noble Damsel Handicap before 7,324 at Belmont. It was one length back to Asti in third.

Bright Abundance received a perfect inside stalking trip from Richard Migliore, who kept his filly in fourth position behind a three-ply speed battle. Migliore found room to get off the hedge turning for home and made the lead inside the eighth pole. Bright Abundance covered the mile in 1:33.93 over a firm Widener Turf Course and returned $15.60 as the third choice.

My Lordship, the 7-5 favorite, was right alongside Bright Abundance for most of the trip but seemed to resent racing between horses. She re-rallied in the stretch when she got in the clear under Jerry Bailey.

It was the fifth victory in 18 career starts for Bright Abundance, who began her career in France with trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. Three of her wins have come in one-turn races at Belmont Park.

Despite her affinity for the one-turn mile at Belmont, Bright Abundance will not be considered for the Breeders' Cup Mile against males, Clement said. More likely, Bright Abundance could run back in the Grade 3, $100,000 Athenia Stakes here Oct. 15 provided the turf is firm.