Off Limits sharp for graded stakes bid in Noble Damsel

ELMONT, N.Y. – There are bigger names in the field for Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Noble Damsel Stakes, but there is no horse in better form than Off Limits for the one-mile turf race stakes for fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

Mired in the second-level allowance condition all of last year, Off Limits has rebounded with three strong performances this year as she seeks her first North American stakes victory against Grade 1 winners Celestine and Time and Motion in the Noble Damsel.

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Owner Martin Schwartz shipped Off Limits to trainer Chad Brown in fall 2015. Off Limits went winless in five starts before Brown stopped on her last September. Off Limits came back with a second-level allowance win at Belmont in June, a neck loss to On Leave in the $100,000 Perfect Sting Stakes here in July, and a third-level allowance victory at Saratoga last month.

“I got to give Mr. Schwartz credit,” Brown said. “She took some time to come around, and he was patient with her. She’s run a lot more effectively this year, she’s an improving horse. She’s earned this shot in a graded stakes. I do believe she can run with these mares.”

Off Limits could get the right setup in the Noble Damsel. A closer, Off Limits would benefit from a potential speed duel between Celestine and Sassy Little Lila. Joel Rosario rides.

Celestine should be favored in the Noble Damsel. A multiple graded stakes winner, Celestine finished fifth in the Grade 1 Just a Game in June and was give time off by trainer Christophe Clement.

“She ran a couple of lengths below form in the Just a Game and as of today, I don’t know why,” Clement said. “I gave her the summer off, she’s on her way back, I’m excited to see her run.”

Celestine has done her best work on the front end and is likely to have company in the presence of Sassy Little Lila, who set the pace in this year’s Just a Game before settling for second behind Antonoe. Most recently, Sassy Little Lila finished fifth against the boys in the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga. Malibu Stacy is another with some early speed.

Time and Motion, still seeking to regain her Grade 1 form, was plagued by a foot abscess that forced her to miss the Glens Falls at Saratoga.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Off Limits, by Mastercraftsman
Last 3 Beyers: 96-94-96

◗ Her only loss in three starts this year came by a neck to On Leave, who last weekend won the All Along Stakes at Laurel.

◗ Is a three-time winner at a mile.

◗ Gets in with 116 pounds, seven fewer than Celestine.

Celestine, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 92-97-96

◗ Won two one-mile stakes at Gulfstream during the winter.

◗ Had a wide trip and faded to fifth when unable to make the lead against Sassy Little Lila in the Just a Game.

◗ Is 3 for 4 over the Belmont turf course.

Time and Motion, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 95-98-94

◗ Though winless in her last four starts, she ran a strong third behind Hawksmoor and Dacita in the Grade 3 Beaugay here in May.