Isabelle runs down Atlantic's Smile again in Broadway

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - On a day when she was unable to use her early speed, Isabelle confirmed that she can be equally effective from off the pace, rallying down the center of the snowy Aqueduct inner track to win Saturday’s $100,000 Broadway Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths.

In a similar result as 16 days ago when they met in an allowance race, Isabelle ran down Atlantic’s Smile for the victory. Atlantic’s Smile, who set the pace, held second by a neck over her stablemate Make the Moment. Both horses are trained by Charlton Baker.

Vicki’s Dancer, Blithely, Uncle Southern, and Pennymine completed the order of finish.

Isabelle, a daughter of Successful Appeal owned by William Schettine and trained by Bill Mott, is now 5 for 8 in her career with two stakes wins. Last year, when in the barn of Lisa Lewis, Isabelle won the Bouwerie Stakes at Belmont.

All three of Isabelle’s wins last year came in gate-to-wire fashion. Last out, in her first start for Mott, Isabelle wound up chasing the speedy Atlantic’s Smile before collaring her late.

The plan Saturday was to again stalk Atlantic’s Smile, but Isabelle, under Junior Alvarado, got carried in behind horses shortly after the start and found herself behind three horses down the backside and around the far turn.

Alvarado said his filly got brushed by another horse and his mount lost her action for a few strides.

“After that I tried to get a good spot for her, tried to make her comfortable without rushing her and without being so far back,” Alvarado said. “I know the track’s been fast.”

The Aqueduct inner track had been favoring speed all day, which figured to work in Atlantic’s Smile favor as she got loose through a half-mile in 46.89 seconds.

Atlantic’s Smile looked like she was going to get swallowed up turning for home, but she kept persevering. Meanwhile, Alvarado tipped Isabelle five-wide turning for home and set sail for Atlantic’s Smile before collaring her 70 yards at the wire.

Isabelle covered the six furlongs in 1:12.23 and returned $6.10 as the favorite.

Riley Mott saddled Isabelle for his Hall of Fame father, his first win as an assistant trainer.

“The track’s been playing speed all day and the fact that she came from off the pace like that was impressive,” Riley Mott said. “I saw her stalking [Atlantic’s Smile]. I didn’t expect us to be that far back. It was a new dimension for her and she ran a great race.”