Ladies Handicap a pivotal race for Belle Gallantey

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Belle Gallantey, a dual Grade 1 winner in 2014, could decide her own future based on how she runs in Saturday’s $100,000 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct.

A good performance and she likely will continue racing. A poor performance – akin to her fifth-place finish in the Affectionately Stakes on New Year’s Day – and she could be retired and bred.

“Either she shows us she wants to go on or she has to go to the breeding shed,” said Michael Dubb, who leased Belle Gallantey from S F Bloodstock, a group that bought Belle Gallantey for $750,000 at Fasig-Tipton last November following a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said before the Affectionately that Belle Gallantey weighed less than usual.

“We feel she’s doing better,” Dubb said. “She’s gained some weight.”

Dubb said that Irad Ortiz Jr. breezed Belle Gallantey on Jan. 22, when she went five furlongs in 1:02 over Aqueduct’s inner track, and “was really, really happy with the breeze.”

Ortiz is out of town Saturday, so Manuel Franco picks up the mount.

As a result of her Grade 1 wins in the Delaware Handicap and Beldame, Belle Gallantey is the 123-pound highweight for the Ladies. She is conceding five to eight pounds to the rest of the field, which includes Penwith (118), Moment in Dixie (117), Holiday’s Jewel (115), and Shayjolie (115).