Stellar Path capitalizes on inside post to capture Athenia

ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Christophe Clement believes Saturday’s Grade 3 Athenia Stakes at Belmont Park boiled down to the luck of the draw.

Clement’s filly, Stellar Path, had the rail, while Lady Lara, one of the horses he feared the most, had post 13. Stellar Path used the inside to her advantage, getting a great trip under Joel Rosario to win the $200,000 Athenia by a half-length over 66-1 longshot Wiener Valkyrie. Meanwhile, Lady Lara, the second choice at 3-1, had her fair share of traffic trouble and could only rally to be third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths.

Coffee Clique, the 3-1 favorite, finished seventh after a wide trip breaking from post 10.

“I was lucky we drew number 1, had a great trip right behind the leaders in fifth position,” said Clement, who won the Athenia for a fourth time. “The way the gates are in a large field if you’re like 8, 9, 10, 11 it’s tough. She had a great draw and the filly ran a great race.”

Stellar Path was fifth along the inside while Keri Belle, a 29-1 shot under Manny Franco, set pedestrian fractions posted as 26.44 seconds for the quarter, 50.93 for a half-mile, and 1:14.72 for six furlongs.

Rosario never had to leave the hedge until upper stretch when he went past Kerri Belle. Wiener Valkyrie, who was off a step slow under Cornelio Velasquez, followed Stellar Path but could not match her kick.

Stellar Path, a 4-year-old daughter of Astronomer owned by Trevor Stewart, covered 1 1/16 miles over firm turf in 1:43.41 and returned $13 as the third betting choice. She won for the seventh time from 18 starts and boosted her career earnings to $537,486.

Clement said Stellar Path, a Group 3 winner in France as a 2-year-old, is cataloged to be sold at the Keeneland November sale so he’s unsure what her future might be.