Cinderella’s Dream runs past Segesta late to take Belmont Oaks

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Cinderella’s Dream last month joined the roster of Charlie Appleby-trained horses that are running in the U.S. this year. On Saturday, at Aqueduct, Cinderella’s Dream joined the growing list of graded stakes winners this season for the Newmarket-based trainer with a furious late rally under William Buick to win the Grade 1, $500,000 Belmont Oaks by three-quarters of a length.

Cinderella’s Dream ran by the pacesetting Segesta about 30 yards from the wire. Segesta, under Irad Ortiz Jr., held second by a nose over the 4-5 favorite She Feels Pretty.

Cinderella’s Dream became the sixth individual graded winner - accounting for eight graded stakes in total - sent out by Appleby in the U.S. this year. Earlier on the card, the Appleby-trained Legend of Time finished third in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby.

Cinderella’s Dream earned her way to America off what Appleby called a “credible” performance when she was seventh, beaten 4 1/4 lengths in the English 1000 Guineas in May. Prior to Cinderella’s Dream, that race had produced three Group 1 winners.

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The Guineas was a one-mile race on a straightway. Cinderella’s Dream had been successful around a left-handed turning track in Dubai and Appleby was sure Cinderella’s Dream would relish the added distance of the Belmont Oaks.

Breaking from post 8, Cinderella’s Dream was tucked over to the inside but was in eighth position, about six lengths off Segesta, who ran a half-mile in 48.96 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.25, staked by She Feels Pretty, under John Velazquez.

Buick advanced Cinderella’s Dream between horses around the turn. Turning for home, Buick got Cinderella’s Dream outside and she kicked hard in the lane to get up. Cinderella’s Dream, a daughter of Shamardal owned and bred by Godolphin, covered the 1 3/16 miles in 1:53.42 over firm turf and returned $9.30 as the second choice.

Appleby said the plan was to follow She Feels Pretty, who got an attending position. But Buick said he wanted to save ground, which likely cost his filly early position.

“I probably ended up farther back than I really wanted to,” Buick said. “She was posted a little bit wide, I didn’t want to [lose] ground. She picked up really well from the quarter pole, I always felt I was going to get there. She showed when she ran in Dubai in the winter she’s got a real good kick.”

Appleby said he was a little nervous when he saw where Cinderella’s Dream was early.

“But we knew we had plenty of horse underneath us turning in, the splits came and she’s a class filly and she picked up,” Appleby said.

Appleby said Cinderella’s Dream will remain in the U.S. and point to the Grade 2, $400,000 Saratoga Oaks on Aug. 2.

Segesta, coming off a victory in the Grade 2 Wonder Again, made all the pace and Ortiz felt it was a solid pace and did well to hold second.

“I didn’t feel like we went really slow,” Ortiz said. “She gave me a good kick all the way to the wire. Unlucky we didn’t win, but she ran big.”

Velazquez felt She Feels Pretty may have fared better had he been able to get her covered up early in the race.

“When she’s behind horses, off the bridle, she kicks, she goes on,” Velazquez said. “I got next to [Segesta] and she stayed there, she didn’t pass the other horse. Galloping out, she galloped out better than everybody.”

Cherie DeVaux, trainer of She Feels Pretty, said she may shorten the filly up to a mile in the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid at Saratoga on Aug. 17.

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