Noble Stella back for more

ELMONT, N.Y. - Noble Stella returns to Belmont Park Saturday to face some familiar foes in the Grade 2, $250,000 for fillies and mares on the turf.

Noble Stella, Angara, and Asi Siempre - the second-, third-, and fourth-place finishers in the Sheepshead Bay Handicap here on May 27 - square off once again. This time they don't have to worry about Honey Ryder, one of division leaders who might face the boys in Monmouth Park's United Nations Stakes next month.

Trainer Roger Attfield didn't commit Noble Stella to the New York until she had a solid workout Wednesday at Woodbine. She went a half-mile on the grass in 48 seconds, clinching a return trip to Belmont for the 1 1/4-mile race.

"She's doing exceptionally well right now," Attfield said. "It wasn't until after that breeze that I decided to send her back that way."

Noble Stella set the pace in the Sheepshead Bay, clicking off moderate fractions in the 1 3/8-mile race. She could not hold off Honey Ryder but was best of the rest while earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 100.

"She always runs genuinely, but that was a very good race she ran there," Attfield said. "I was delighted with the way my filly ran against Honey Ryder."

Angara also turned in a solid effort in the Sheepshead Bay, rallying to finish a neck behind Noble Stella. It was a solid improvement over a sixth-place finish in her season debut in the Beaugay Handicap at Aqueduct.

Angara wouldn't mind a little rain. She captured the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Park last August on a yielding course. Bill Mott took over her training this season from Patrick Biancone.

Dynamite Lass also ran into Honey Ryder last time out, finishing 7 1/2 lengths behind her in the Grade 3 Orchid Handicap at Gulfstream Park on April 1.

Since then, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has freshened her with his Saratoga division.

"We hooked a monster in Honey Ryder," McLaughlin said. "She was just too much for us. Dynamite Lass has been doing very well lately, training well, and I think she's going to run well. We wanted to give her a little break because she does like a little time."

Argentina comes East for trainer Bobby Frankel. After starting her career in Europe, Argentina ran in three California turf stakes and most recently was third in the Grade 1 Gamely Breeders' Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Completing the field are Charmsil, Omeya, and Smart N Classy.