Treat Gently rebounds in Sheepshead Bay

Treat Gently, a 5-year-old mare coming off dull next-to-last-place finishes in the Santa Ana Handicap and the Jenny Wiley, rebounded to win the 52nd running of the at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Rediscovering the form that landed her a win in the Group 2 Prix de Malleret as a 3-year-old in France nearly two years ago, Treat Gently took over from pacesetter Pari turning for home and drove clear under Kent Desormeaux to win by 4 1/2 lengths. Nehantic Kat. rallied from last to edge 5-2 second choice Bubbly Jane for second by a nose.

The Gaillimh Girl, favored at 2-1, finished fourth. Liberally, Ballynoe, and Pari completed the order of finish.

Treat Gently, a Juddmonte Farms homebred trained by Bill Mott, ran 1 3/8 miles in 2:14.09 seconds over a firm inner turf course, and paid $10.40 to win as the third choice in a field of seven fillies and mares, none of which had heretofore won a graded stakes race in North America. She earned $90,000, and improved to 4-4-0 from 13 career starts.

"We tried her at a mile and a sixteenth last time, that was my mistake," said Mott. "I thought she would be able to handle that trip, and it wasn't meant to be, so we put her back at a distance more appropriate for her."