Isabelle wires Bouwerie Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Running Isabelle back in three weeks off a career-best effort had trainer Lisa Lewis a bit concerned going into Saturday’s $125,000 Bouwerie Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park.

“I was more concerned than anybody else,” said Lewis, who trains Isabelle for owner William Schettine. “What do trainers know?”

Lewis knows that Isabelle is a fast, talented filly, as evidenced by her front-running, 1 1/2-length victory over longshot Storied Lady in the Bouwerie. It was 2 1/4 lengths farther back to Flipcup in third. She was followed by Henry’s Gal, the 9-5 favorite who broke poorly, Ms. Sylvia A., Champagne Ruby, Prairie Stone, and Elmra, who stumbled badly at the break.

Isabelle, ridden by Alex Solis, won for the second straight race and the second time in four career starts. She was running back 22 days after winning an off-the-turf maiden race by 12 1/2 lengths May 9.

She won that day in front-running fashion and, breaking from post 3 on Saturday, both Lewis and Solis figured she would be on the lead again.

Isabelle broke on top and opened up a one-length lead through a quarter-mile in 22.21 seconds. She opened up a two-length lead after a half-mile in 44.75 seconds and, after opening up a three-length lead in midstretch, she had more than enough to hold off Storied Lady.

Isabelle, a daughter of Successful Appeal who brought $100,000 at the Fasig-Tipton open yearling auction at Saratoga in 2012, covered the seven furlongs in 1:22.20 and returned $7 to win.

“I was committed,” Solis said. “I said, ‘I’m going to break sharp out of here because I don’t want to get stuck down in there.’ She was really calm; she was real relaxed. It’s easy when you ride a horse like her. She has that high cruising speed.”

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said Henry’s Gal threw her head when the gates opened, causing her to break slowly.