Paulassilverlining using Gallant Bloom as a tryout
ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Michelle Nevin already has one horse headed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint in By the Moon. On Saturday, Paulassilverlining will audition for a spot in that $1 million race when she runs in the Grade 2, $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park.
Paulassilverlining is returning to Belmont Park, where she is 2 for 2, and is dropping out of a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Ballerina, where she may have moved a bit too early under Jose Ortiz. That race was at seven furlongs – the distance of the Filly and Mare Sprint – while the Gallant Bloom is run at 6 1/2 furlongs.
“Maybe the dynamics of the race last time didn’t work out in our favor,” Nevin said. “We probably went a little too soon, and going that pace, it’s going to be hard to get home. But she still didn’t get beat that far.”
In the Ballerina, Paulassilverlining moved into the teeth of a 22.20-second second quarter before being overtaken by winner Haveyougoneaway.
On Saturday, Nevin hopes new rider John Velazquez will be able to give Paulassilverlining a more patient ride.
“She is very rateable, and with the speed there, it should help her to cover up and settle,” Nevin said. Paulassilverlining breaks from post 4 in a field of seven fillies and mares.
Hot City Girl, with Ortiz named to ride, and Momameamaria look like the primary speed horses in the Gallant Bloom.
Wonder Gal came off a layoff of nearly seven months to win a New York-bred second-level allowance race by 11 1/2 lengths after pressing a hot early pace. She has shown the ability to rate off a modest pace and be successful.
Wavell Avenue was the runner-up in this race last year to La Verdad, then turned the tables on that one in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Wavell Avenue finished sixth in the Ballerina in her most recent start but returns to Belmont, where she is 2-2-0 from five starts.
Fusaichi Red and Quezon complete the field.
Key Contenders
Paulassilverlining, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 94-96-95
◗ Multiple stakes winner has won over wet tracks, and there is rain in the forecast.
◗ In her last start at Belmont, she romped to a 3 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Vagrancy.
Wonder Gal, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 100-84-80
◗ Her last race was her first since undergoing a throat procedure known as a myectomy to correct a breathing problem.
“You’re hoping all the things you did put her up to the next level, and hopefully she can stay there,” said trainer Leah Gyarmati. “I guess that’s the point of running in this race, is to see if that’s where we are and if that’s where we’re going to stay.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Wonder Gal. Trainer Leah Gyarmati is 32-11-3-4 with a $5.16 ROI over the past five years in dirt sprints with last-out winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Wavell Avenue, by Harlington
Last 3 Beyers: 88-97-92
◗ Still looking to regain her form from last fall, when she finished a fast-closing second in this race before upsetting the BC Filly and Mare Sprint.