Nothing But Fun takes class drop

ELMONT, N.Y. - After three straight races in Grade 1 company, gets class relief Sunday in the Grade 2, $150,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap for fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

While the purse and grade are lower, Nothing But Fun can't count on class alone in the contentious 6 1/2-furlong race.

The Gallant Bloom drew six entrants and a case can be made for each of them.

Nothing But Fun figures to be well supported based on her recent company and the fact she is coupled in the betting with stakes-winning stablemate Great Intentions.

Nothing But Fun's Grade 1 streak started with a second to Take D' Tour in the Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont in June. She then ran fifth behind Spun Sugar in Saratoga's Go for Wand.

Most recently, Nothing But Fun was a distant second to Dubai Escapade, arguably the best female sprinter in the country, in the Ballerina Breeders' Cup Stakes at seven furlongs at Saratoga.

"We were second best and the winner had her 'A' game that day," said trainer Mike Hushion. "There was no shame in not being able to run her down."

Nothing But Fun, 4, has been a pleasure for Hushion right from the start

"All her life, she's always been very simple," he said. "She goes out there and does her business. She stayed nice and sound. We never had to worry about getting back to the feed tub. She's a very easy horse to train, and she's coming into this race nice and bright."

In contrast, Win McCool was a headache for trainer Bob Barbara until recently. "She has some issues with her mind," he said. "She needed to grow up and settle down. The talent was there from day one. Her mind wasn't letting her do the right thing."

Win McCool finally put it all together with a front-running win in Belmont's Grade 3 Floral Park Handicap at 15-1.

"She just went to post and she was as perfect as she could be," Barbara said. "She showed everybody what she's capable of."

Swap Fliparoo, winner of the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga, rallied to be fourth in the Floral Park.

Getcozywithkaylee scored a pacesetting allowance victory at Saratoga.

Annika Lass is winless in six races this year but has considerable back class with $303,126 in career earnings.