Candy Store finds softer spot in allowance

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Christophe Clement had no regrets about scratching Candy Store from Sunday’s Grade 3 Athenia Stakes here, despite the fact the filly she beat last time won the race.

Candy Store won a nose bob over Rymska in an Aug. 31 allowance race at Saratoga. Rymska, who was making her first start off a nine-month layoff that day, came back to win Sunday’s Athenia by 4 1/2 lengths earning a 104 Beyer Speed Figure.

“The winner was very impressive,” said Clement, who noted the overall depth of the Athenia field made it stronger than a typical Grade 3 stakes.

Clement has found a seemingly easier spot to run Candy Store, that being a multi-conditioned $85,000 allowance race that serves as Belmont’s feature Wednesday. Management has carded six grass races for Wednesday at a meet where so far 62 of the scheduled 163 turf races have had to be transferred to the main track.

Candy Store, an Irish-bred filly who won a Group 3 stakes in Italy, has run into stakes winners in each of her first two starts in the United States. In July, she finished fourth behind Fifty Five and Quidura in a Belmont allowance. Fifty Five has since come back to win two New York-bred stakes, while Quidura won the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga.

In the Saratoga allowance, Candy Store battled back on Rymska, who had overtaken her in midstretch, and got up by a nose.

“She got a very aggressive ride from Joel Rosario and she responded to it very well,” said Clement, who has Rosario up again Wednesday.

An aggressive ride by Rosario on Wednesday could very well put Candy Store alone on the lead.

Clement also entered Princess Gibraltar, who finished last of 10 in the Grade 3 Seaway Stakes run over Woodbine’s synthetic surface last out.

Trainer Chad Brown sends out Penjade, who was fourth behind Candy Store and Rymska in that Aug. 31 race. She won the Forever Together Stakes at Aqueduct last fall.

Bellavais makes her first start of the year and first for Todd Pletcher after his client Bortolazzo Stable purchased her for $485,000 at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

KEY CONTENDERS

Candy Store, by Lope de Vega
Last 3 Beyers: 86-79-NA

◗ Has faced graded stakes winners Rymska, Quidura, and Fifty Five in two starts in the United States.

◗ She could play out as the lone speed under Joel Rosario.

Dolce Lilli, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 88-86-84

◗ She was one of three next-out winners to come out of a July 22 allowance at Saratoga when she won a second-level allowance Sept. 29 at Belmont.

◗ Figures to be up close and stalking under John Velazquez.

Hallie Belle, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 89-90-90

◗ Drops into allowance company for the first time since she won an allowance race last November at Fair Grounds.

Penjade, by Air Chief Marshal
Last 3 Beyers: 81-35-96

◗ Beaten two lengths by Candy Store when making her first start in eight months.

◗ Won two allowance races here last year.