House Party comes flying late

ELMONT, N.Y. - In a trouble-filled race, House Party had the smoothest trip and possessed the fastest closing kick as she rallied from next to last to win Friday's Grade 1, $200,000 by 3 1/4 lengths at Belmont Park.

Chimichurri, who was last after the opening quarter, rallied down the center of the track to get second by a half-length over the pacesetting Princess V.

Princess V. and jockey Jerry Bailey were part of some controversy in the race along with In Secure, ridden by Jorge Chavez and trained by Louie Roussel. At the quarter pole, Chavez tried to guide In Secure through a hole along the rail and inside of Bailey and Princess V.

But, instead of going through the hole, Chavez wound up checking sharply behind In Secure, losing all chance as she finished fifth. The stewards posted an inquiry sign, but took no action.

Afterward, a livid Roussel blamed Bailey for cutting off his filly.

"It was horrible what Bailey did,' Roussel said. "Bailey came in there and then moved out only after Chavez hit the rail. It's not the winning, I just want the filly back in one piece.'

Said Bailey: "There was always room for a horse to go through there, always, at all times; I think the film will dictate that. Louie is out there screaming, he ought to take a look at the film. He better question his jock's ride, not mine.'

There was no questioning who was best in the Prioress. After lingering toward the back of the back for the first quarter-mile, Santos guided House Party into contention around the turn, swung her five wide at the quarter pole, and they rolled down the stretch. House Party ($6.20) covered six furlongs in 1:09.45.

"I thought she was getting too far out of it,' said trainer Allen Jerkens, who won this race on the 53rd anniversary of his first career victory. "She's been such a big surprise to me. I thought she was good, I didn't think she was this good. It's so nice to find out she is.'