Isabelle sparks great weekend for Mott

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott had a terrific weekend, winning six races at three tracks.

Shortly before Suffused won the Grade 3 The Very One at Gulfstream, Isabelle galloped to a 12-length victory in Aqueduct’s $150,000 Heavenly Prize Invitational.

Left by herself on the lead under Kendrick Carmouche, Isabelle was never threatened and earned a career-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance. The 6-year-old mare now has two stakes wins and a second in three starts since stretching out in distance.

“It took us a long time to run her a distance of ground,” Mott said. “Maybe that’s what she’s wanted to do all along.”

The Heavenly Prize, at 1 1/16 miles, was the first open stakes victory for Isabelle, a New York-bred daughter of Successful Appeal.

Mott, who Sunday won two races at Tampa Bay Downs and one each at Aqueduct and Gulfstream, said Monday he didn’t know what would be next for Isabelle. There isn’t a New York-bred stakes opportunity until the $200,000 Critical Eye at Belmont on May 29. The next open stakes going a distance of ground in New York is the $200,000 Top Flight Invitational, going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct on April 2.

“If she’s doing well, we’ll have a look at it,” Mott said.