Significant Form gives Velazquez record in Noble Damsel win
Significant Form led yet another one-two finish in a graded turf stakes in New York for trainer Chad Brown after drawing away to an impressive 2 ¾- length decision over stablemate Stella di Camelot in the Grade 3 Noble Damsel for fillies and mares Saturday at Belmont Park.
Significant Form gave her rider, John Velazquez, the 660th stakes win of his career, tying him for the all-time lead in that category with fellow Hall of Fame rider Jerry Bailey.
Significant Form entered the Noble Damsel off a game victory in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa four weeks earlier at Saratoga. But the 4-year-old daughter of Creative Cause didn’t have to work quite as hard turning back from 1 1/16 miles to a mile on Saturday under confident handling from Velazquez.
As expected, Valedictorian set the pace in the Noble Damsel with Significant Form rating outside horses in the second flight within easy striking distance of the early leader. Velazquez eased Significant Form to closer contention approaching the stretch, the pair readily overtaking the tiring pacesetter near the furlong marker, then steadily extending their advantage to the wire.
Stella di Camelot rallied mildly to be easily second best while never menacing the winner. Valedictorian finished third followed by Bellavais, Capla TemptrThe victory was the third in four starts this season for Significant Form and her fourth graded stakes success. Owned by Stephanie Seymour Brant, Significant Form completed the distance over a firm course in 1:33.48 and paid $4.60.
“She was on the outside today and I was worried she was going to be a little rank but she actually handled it pretty well,” said Velazquez. “Right before the quarter pole I just asked her to go and she ran off. It’s nice to ride these kind of horses. They respond when you ask them.”
