Stella di Camelot scores in Pebbles despite slow start

ELMONT, N.Y. – Stella di Camelot overcame a slow start with an aggressive ride from Eric Cancel and rallied from last to win Saturday’s $200,000 Pebbles Stakes at Belmont Park.

In her first start in the U.S., first for trainer Chad Brown, and first race since May, Stella di Camelot walked out of the gate in the Pebbles.

Cancel put her into the race and after the opening half-mile had her within 1 1/2 lengths behind the leading trio of Andina Del Sur, Kitten’s Covergirl, and Closer Still.

Andina Del Sur was the stronger of that trio, and Cancel was fortunate that he had Stella di Camelot following her. Approaching the top of the stretch, Cancel guided Stella di Camelot outside of Andina Del Sur for the stretch run.

Stella di Camelot took over in upper stretch and edged clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Andina Del Sur. It was 3 1/4 lengths back to Victorine, the 8-5 favorite, who was far back and last for the opening half-mile. Souper Striking was fourth, followed by Closer Still, Altea, Got Stormy, Kitten’s Covergirl, and Monte Crista.

Cool Beans, Goodthingstaketime, and Significant Form scratched.

Stella di Camelot, an Irish-bred daughter of Camelot owned by Swift Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables and Doheny Racing, covered the mile in 1:38.58 over a soft Widener turf course in 1:38.58 and returned $19.60 to win. She received a 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She broke a little bit slow but I managed to get her in a nice spot,” Cancel said. “Once I got to the half-mile [pole], I needed to follow the horse that was on the lead. I went with it; once I got to the quarter pole, I swung her out and she just did her job.”

Brown, who won the Pebbles for the third time in four years, praised Cancel for his actions. It was just the third career mount Cancel rode for Brown.

“Eric did a great job of putting the horse right back in the race, not letting her lose contact,” Brown said. “Then he had a choice to make down the backside, it was a tight opening, but he took it and kept advancing throughout the race and that was the winning move. I’m really proud of him, he did a really good job.”