Front-running tactics serve Sweet Montreal well in Joseph A. Gimma Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Jockey Chris Elliott came to the paddock with a plan to have Sweet Montreal sit off the speed in Friday’s $150,000 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes. Trainer Jim Ryerson thought his filly Sweet Montreal was the speed.

“Chris said, 'There’s a little speed in here.' I said, 'You be aggressive and if you want to adjust to that, that’s fine,' ” Ryerson said. “But I thought she might show [speed]. She’s always been quick.”

Utilizing those aggressive tactics, Elliott put Sweet Montreal on the lead and she was never headed in scoring a front-running, 3 1/4-length victory in the Gimma for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies at Aqueduct. Arinata, the 8-5 favorite who was away slow, rallied for second by a neck over Grazie. Sacred Goddess, the 5-2 second choice, finished fourth.

The win was the second in as many starts for Sweet Montreal, a daughter of Instagrand owned by DiRico Racing and Breeding. She won her debut on Aug. 6 at odds of 42-1. Friday, she was 11-1, returning $24.44 for a $2 win wager.

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“I thought there was quite a bit of speed in the race, but it worked out great,” said Elliott, who won three races on Friday’s card. “She broke good, did it in hand. and she’s very, very classy, so it worked out.”

Sweet Montreal only had to run an opening quarter in 22.60 seconds to secure the lead. She ran a half-mile in 45.60, five furlongs in 57.06, and covered the six furlongs in 1:08.79 over a firm outer turf course.

“I didn’t really think she’d clear them like that,” Ryerson said. “When she did – and I know he’s not riding her to do that – then I’m feeling pretty good.”

Ryerson felt good enough about Sweet Montreal’s chances in the Gimma – run as a turf sprint for the first time – to scratch his other horse, Saint Margaret, from the field. Saint Margaret is a maiden who will run in an upcoming maiden race.

Sweet Montreal’s next start is less clear, though depending how aggressive Ryerson wants to get, there is the Grade 3, $175,000 Matron on Oct. 2. There is also the $150,000 Stewart Manor on Nov. 7. Both six-furlong turf races would mean facing open company.

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