Separationofpowers returns in Vagrancy

ELMONT, N.Y. – Separationofpowers is getting a later start to her 4-year-old campaign than her trainer, Chad Brown, would have liked, but she appears to be well spotted for her return in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park.

Separationofpowers won the Grade 1 Frizette here at 2 and the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga last summer before unsuccessfully trying to stretch out around two turns in the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx. Not only did she finish fourth that day, she emerged from the race with a chip in an ankle and required surgery.

Separationofpowers didn’t get on the work tab until March 11 and shows nine breezes leading up to her return in the Vagrancy, at 6 1/2 furlongs.

“She’s come back well, she looks good,” said Brown, who trains Separationofpowers for Seth Klarman. “I’m getting started a little late, but I’m really happy with the way she’s going. It’s a starting point, but I think she’s ready to run a big one. Regardless, just to get a race into her will be good.”

Pacific Gale and Dawn the Destroyer were a well-beaten second and third behind Come Dancing in the Grade 3 Distaff at Aqueduct on April 5. Come Dancing came back to romp in last Sunday’s Grade 2 Ruffian here.

Pacific Gale, trained by John Kimmel, has filled out the exacta at big prices in both the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie (where she was 44-1) and the Distaff (at 26-1). She has shown an affinity for Belmont’s main track with two wins and a third from four starts.

Dawn the Destroyer won the Interborough at Aqueduct in January before finishing third with a difficult inside trip in the Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel in February. In the Distaff, she chased the pace while very wide and faded in the stretch.

Heavenhasmynikki, coming off a dominant allowance win at Mahoning Valley, and Holiday Disguise, third as the favorite in the Vagrancy last year, complete the field.

The Vagrancy is carded as the first race on the 11-race card which begins at 1:30 p.m.