Sensibly Chic tries retracing her pattern

ELMONT, N.Y. - The last time trainer Tim Tullock shipped Sensibly Chic from Maryland to Belmont Park for a 6 1/2-furlong stakes race, the 5-year-old mare ran the best race of her career, winning the Grade 2 Vagrancy Handicap by 3 1/2 lengths on June 12.

Tullock said he hopes for a similar performance on Sunday when Sensibly Chic returns to New York to run in the Grade 2, $150,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs over Belmont's main track.

faces several familiar faces among her five rivals in the Gallant Bloom, including stakes winners Bank Audit, Travelator, and Umpateedle.

Since the Vagrancy, Sensibly Chic is winless in two starts. In July, she shipped to Calder for the Princess Rooney Handicap and finished last, 10 1/4 lengths behind Madcap Escapade. Following a two-month freshening, Sensibly Chic finished second behind Umpateedle in the Grade 3 Endine Handicap at Delaware Park.

Regarding the Princess Rooney, Tullock said he believes a combination of the heat and Sensibly Chic's disdain for Calder's main track proved her undoing. Tullock said he felt a troubled trip prevented Sensibly Chic from winning the Endine.

"We had some traffic problems going into the far turn," Tullock said. "We had to take back to almost last and once she got in the clear she came running."

Rain is in the forecast, and Travelator and Smokey Glacken are two horses in the Gallant Bloom who would relish off going.

is 4 for 7 over a wet track, which is one reason trainer Stanley Hough entered her in the Gallant Bloom. Travelator is being pointed to the Iroquois Stakes for New York-bred filly and mare sprinters on Oct. 22. She will be sold at auction in November.

"She handles a wet track very well. It might make a difference," Hough said.

Hough said Travelator came out of a win in the Schenectady Handicap, her last start, in good shape, alleviating any concern about running her back in three weeks.

finished sixth in the Vagrancy and was given some time off. She has won two straight races, including the Grade 3 Floral Park Handicap on Sept. 17. Both of her wins have come in front-running fashion and she looms the main speed in this spot. Though she is 7 for 13, Smokey Glacken is 0 for 3 beyond six furlongs.

"She might be a little better going six furlongs," trainer Jimmy Jerkens said.