Frank's Rockette whips up on elders in Gallant Bloom

ELMONT, N.Y. - The 3-year-old filly Frank’s Rockette disrespected her elders Saturday at Belmont Park, rolling past the pace-setting Pacific Gale at the top of the stretch and cruising to a 7 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $150,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park.

Honor Way, who actually broke on top but drifted back to last, rallied to finish second by three-quarters of a length over Royal Charlotte. Bertranda finished fourth, followed by Pacific Gale. Bronx Beauty scratched.

The win was the fourth straight for Frank’s Rockette and sixth from 10 starts for the 3-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, owned by Frank Fletcher.

:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Belmont Clocker Report

Up until last weekend, trainer Bill Mott was planning to run Frank’s Rockette in Saturday’s Grade 3 Miss Preakness Stakes, a race restricted for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. When informed that the Gallant Bloom, for 3-year-olds and up, was coming up fairly light on quantity and quality, Mott supplemented the filly to the race for a fee of $2,250.

Frank’s Rockette opened up as the 1-9 favorite before going off at 1-5 and returning $2.70. Mott won this race 20 years ago with the 3-year-old filly Dream Supreme.

While it looked as though Frank’s Rockette could be the primary speed on Saturday, others wanted it more. Honor Way, under Jose Ortiz, broke on top before being overtaken by Pacific Gale. Both fillies, like Frank’s Rockette, were supplemental nominees.

Frank’s Rockette was third early under Junior Alvarado then moved into second after an opening quarter in 22.76 seconds. Frank’s Rockette gradually gained on Pacific Gale, taking over from that one outside the quarter pole. Asked to run for a few jumps, Frank’s Rockette opened up a large advantage in midstretch and was taken in hand en route to covering 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.12.

“I thought today would be the day where I was going to be on the lead with her, but I wouldn’t change the way she runs when she has a target,” Alvarado said. “She just lets you know that she cannot wait to go by horses, and when you really ask her she’s got a very quick turn of foot.”

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

Frank’s Rockette added the Gallant Boom to victories this season in the Grade 2 Prioress at Saratoga and the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont.

Mott said he had not discussed running Frank’s Rockette in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint with Fletcher. He anticipates that discussion happening in the coming days. That race is run at seven furlongs at Keeneland on Nov. 7 and figures to attract multiple Grade 1 winner Gamine.

“With today’s group, seven-eighths wasn’t going to be a problem,” Mott said. “The Breeders’ Cup is a different story, different group of horses. We all get excited going in, then you look at the form for the Breeders’ Cup and you see boy, there’s a couple in there that can really run.”