Sensibly Chic may finally beat nemesis

ELMONT, N.Y. - After twice getting bested by Bank Audit in graded stakes in New York, Sensibly Chic will take one more crack at that rival in Sunday's $150,000 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park.

A field of 10 was entered for the Grade 2 Vagrancy, run at 6 1/2 furlongs, including five from the Genuine Risk, which Bank Audit won by a nose over Sensibly Chic. In March, Bank Audit defeated Sensibly Chic by 1 1/4 lengths in the Grade 2 Distaff Breeders' Cup Handicap at Aqueduct.

Bank Audit picks up three pounds off the Genuine Risk victory and must carry 120 pounds, four more than Sensibly Chic. The slight weight shift and a change to jockey John Velazquez are what trainer Tim Tullock hopes could help Sensibly Chic turn the tables on Bank Audit.

"I like her a little bit better going into this race than I did the last time,'' Tullock said. "She's doing super and I'm getting Johnny Velazquez.''

Tullock cross-entered in Sunday's $50,000 Skipat Stakes at Pimlico, but said he plans to run here.

has been going strong since November, winning 6 of 8 starts, including three stakes. Her only bad race in that span was a fifth-place finish in the Bed o' Roses Breeders' Cup when she moved into the teeth of a hot pace.

Forced to come extremely wide turning for home in the Genuine Risk, Bank Audit kicked in powerfully in the final furlong to get up. Trainer Frank Laboccetta Jr. said Bank Audit has done well since the Genuine Risk and points to a three-furlong blowout in 34.83 seconds at Aqueduct on Wednesday as evidence

"If she runs as big as she did last time she's going to be tough,'' Laboccetta said. "She's doing just as good. It should be fun. Belmont, she really loves to run around those big turns. She's put weight on, her coat is like glass, and she's at the top of her game.''

Norberto Arroyo Jr. rides Bank Audit from post 2.

While the half-mile fraction is unlikely to be 43.95 seconds as it was in the Genuine Risk, the pace in the Vagrancy still should be swift with Emerald Earrings, Smokey Glacken, and Traci Girl in the field.

and Friendly Michelle, fourth and fifth in the Genuine Risk, are candidates to rebound at a price. Forty Moves ran two solid races at 6 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream. Friendly Michelle won the Grade 1 Prioress over this track last July, but has been soundly defeated in three starts since.