Sea Queen connects at 18-1 in Wonder Again

While a lot of his focus these days is on getting a 3-year-old colt to go 1 1/2 miles on dirt in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 7, trainer Christophe Clement will now be intent on training a 3-year-old filly to go 1 1/4 miles on turf for $1 million on July 5.

On Sunday, Clement sent out Sea Queen, the longest shot on the board at 18-1, to a half-length victory over Minorette in the $200,000 Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont Park, setting her up for a start in the $1 million Belmont Oaks Invitational on July 5. Minorette, who made the lead turning for home, settled for second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Recepta. Party Now, Daring Dancer, and Lawn Party completed the order of finish.

Sea Queen is a half-sister to Nereid, who won the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles at Hollywood Park in 2011. The Belmont Oaks is the brainchild of Martin Panza, the New York Racing Association’s senior vice president of racing operations who created the American Oaks at Hollywood Park.

The presence of the previously undefeated Daring Dancer, sent off at 4-5, meant some horses were much higher odds than they should have been. Sea Queen, coming off a first-level allowance win at Keeneland, was 18-1, despite being 5-1 on the morning-line.

“Nice filly,” said Clement, who also trains Belmont Stakes contender Tonalist. “I’m a bit surprised she won at 18-1, but it doesn’t matter. She can’t read the board. Great ride from Irad [Ortiz] and we’ll go for the Belmont Oaks.”

Ortiz kept Sea Queen in second position, tracking the pace-setting Party Now through a half-mile in 48.93 seconds and six furlongs in 1:13.33. Ortiz stayed patient when Joel Rosario made an aggressive move to the lead around the far turn. Turning into the stretch, Ortiz guided Sea Queen off the rail and she gradually wore down Minorette in the stretch.

Sea Queen, a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid owned by Stonetower Stable, covered the 1 1/8 miles over a good inner turf course in 1:49.89 and returned $39.60 to win.

Sea Queen and Minorette both earned automatic invitations to the Belmont Oaks. Chad Brown, trainer of Minorette, said he was inclined to point his filly toward that race.

“The mile and a quarter will suit her as well,” Brown said. “If she comes out of the race in good shape, I'll be pointing her toward the Belmont Oaks."

Daring Dancer did not appear comfortable over the soft turf, according to trainer Graham Motion.