Brown goes three deep in Pebbles
ELMONT, N.Y. – Multiple-horse entries in turf stakes have been the norm for trainer Chad Brown this fall at Belmont Park. The strength-in-numbers approach has worked as Brown has won three graded stakes, including one-two finishes in the Flower Bowl and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, both Grade 1 events.
Brown will employ the same strategy Monday when he sends out the uncoupled trio of Consumer Credit, Partisan Politics, and Light in Paris in the $200,000 Pebbles Stakes for 3-year-old fillies scheduled for a mile on the Widener turf course.
The one-mile distance should be quite attractive for all three runners given their histories at the distance. Consumer Credit is 2 for 2 at a mile, recording stakes wins at Gulfstream Park West and Gulfstream Park. Partisan Politics has been beaten a nose in two one-mile turf stakes. Light in Paris, who is making her North American debut, defeated males twice at a mile in France.
Beyond the Brown trio, Devine Aida makes her first start for trainer Christophe Clement and returns to turf, a surface on which she is 2 for 2. Clement has won the Pebbles twice.
Todd Pletcher, a two-time Pebbles winner, sends out Isabella Sings, who was beaten a nose by the Brown-trained Strict Compliance in the Grade 3 Boiling Springs. Bill Mott, a three-time Pebbles winner, sends out Lady Zuzu.
My Cara Mia and Greywalls complete the field.
Pebbles Stakes, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Consumer Credit (Last 3 Beyers: 70-91-93)
◗ Cuts back to a mile for the first time since January, when she won the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream Park. Prior to that, she won the Wait a While at Gulfstream Park West, also at a mile.
◗ The 1 1/4 miles of the American Oaks and Belmont Oaks were too far for her, and she was too close to the pace in the Grade 2 Lake Placid, where she finished fifth.
“I think she likes a target,” Brown said. “Cutting her back in distance, we should be able to get her a little bit off the pace, and she runs better that way.”
◗ Irad Ortiz Jr. rides from post 5.
Partisan Politics (Last 3 Beyers: 85-89-85)
◗ Was beaten a nose by Stormy Regatta in the Riskaverse Stakes at Saratoga and a nose by Celestine in the Wild Applause Stakes at Belmont in her last two tries at a mile.
“Last time out, she had a wide trip, lost a lot of ground, and that most likely cost her the win,” Brown said. “She’s shown up every time, and the mile should hit her perfectly.”
◗ Javier Castellano rides from post 2.
Light in Paris (North American debut)
◗ Defeated males twice at a mile in France, going to the front in both starts.
“She has a good turn of foot and seems real sensible,” Brown said. “We’ll play the break to see where we’re at. I like what I’ve seen so far from her.”
◗ Junior Alvarado rides from post 3.
Devine Aida (Last 3 Beyers: 70-76-80)
◗ Went 2 for 2 on turf at Gulfstream before winning the off-the-turf Herecomesthebride, which kept her on the dirt for two graded tries that didn’t go well.
◗ Was scratched out of the Allied Forces on turf here during opening weekend because it was rained off the turf.
“She’s training well on the grass, and she looks good on the grass. We’ll find out where we are with her,” Clement said.
◗ Jose Ortiz rides from post 4.