Rushing Fall simply too good in Just a Game

ELMONT, N.Y. - Rushing Fall flashed her speed and her class yet again Saturday at Belmont Park, getting away with an easy first quarter then fending off a mid-race challenge from Daddy Is a Legend to record a 2 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1, $700,000 Just a Game Stakes.

Beau Recall rallied from last to get second by a head over Daddy Is a Legend. Bellavais, Envrions, and Capla Temptress completed the order of finish. Got Stormy was scratched after getting cast in her stall earlier this week, according to trainer Mark Casse.

For Rushing Fall, the win was her eighth from nine career starts - her lone loss came by a neck in the 2018 Edgewood - and she increased her career earnings to $1,893,000.

Rushing Fall’s final time of 1:31.67 for the mile was just .03 of a second off the stakes record, set by Celestine in 2016.

“Brilliant performance, probably her best to date,” said trainer Chad Brown, who won the Just a Game for the third consecutive year. “Nearly unbeaten. One of the greatest turf mares I’ve trained for sure. She’s earned that.”

The key to victory was an opening first quarter in 23.91 seconds where Rushing Fall, under Javier Castellano, was able to open a 1 1/2-length lead. She maintained that advantage through a half-mile in 47.21 seconds over Daddy Is a Legend.

Around the far turn, Manny Franco sent Daddy Is a Legend after Rushing Fall. Despite having to run a 22-second third quarter, Rushing Fall fended off Daddy Is a Legend and was able to win quite handily.

“When Daddy Is a Legend tackled her on the turn I was concerned for a moment because I knew it would be a real battle. I have a lot of respect for that horse,” Brown said. “Basically, Rushing Fall showed her best stuff today she was able to fend her off and kick clear. I don’t use the word brilliant too often, but it was a real brilliant performance.”

For Brown, it was his sixth stakes win at Belmont since June 1. He has won the Pennine Ridge, Wonder Again, Intercontinental, and Bed o’ Roses - all Grade 3’s - as well as the Grade 2 New York.

Rushing Fall, a 4-year-old daughter of More Than Ready, returned $3.40 as the 3-5 favorite.

“My goal was the first quarter try to slow down the fractions and try to open up a little bit and let them catch me,” said Castellano, who won this race for the fourth time. “The way she finished, one of the best races I’ve ever seen from her.”

Franco said he and Daddy Is a Legend had to go after Rushing Fall when they did, and it probably cost them second.

“I’m trying to win the race,” Franco said. “My filly broke good, she took me there. Just leave here there in second. By the three-eighths pole I was just trying to put a little bit of pressure on that filly. The winner run away from me.”

Brown said he would talk to owner Bob Edwards, but his first inclination is to point Rushing Fall to the Grade 1 Diana at Saratoga on July 13.