Violette targets Frizette with Sky Gesture

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Rick Violette said the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette is a race he’s always wanted to win, and he’ll take a swing at it on Saturday with Sky Gesture, a debut winner at Saratoga on Aug. 28.

Sky Gesture was one of six 2-year-old fillies entered in the Frizette, which will go as race 4 on Saturday’s 11-race program at Belmont Park.

Sky Gesture beat Cursor by 1 3/4 lengths on Aug. 28 at Saratoga, and Cursor came back to win her maiden Wednesday at Belmont Park.

Violette said Sky Gesture’s speed in her debut surprised him.

“She’s a big, unassuming filly,” he said. “She doesn’t show off a whole lot in the morning, although her breeze out of the gate before she ran was pretty impressive.”

That day, Sky Gesture worked in company with Market Sentiment, who also came out of that work to win his debut.

Sky Gesture, a daughter of Tiznow, will attempt to stretch out from six furlongs to a mile in the Frizette. She will break from the rail under Mike Smith.

Outside of her, in post-position order, will be Libby’s Tail, Nonna Mela, Yellow Agate, Star Super, and Colorful Charades.