Xcellence has something to prove in Sands Point
ELMONT, N.Y. – Xcellence came to the United States from Europe this spring with high expectations that she has yet to meet. On Saturday, the 3-year-old daughter of Champs Elysees will make her third start in this country, heading an ultra-competitive field of 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 2, $500,000 Sands Point Stakes at Belmont Park.
Typically run in the spring, the Sands Point was moved to this spot on the calendar to replace the Grade 1 Garden City, which was moved to July and renamed the Belmont Oaks Invitational.
Xcellence was one of the European-based fillies lured to the Belmont Oaks by the $1 million purse. Her then-trainer, Francois Doumen, feared that the 1 1/4 miles would be a bit too far for his filly, and he was right, as she lost by four lengths to Minorette.
Xcellence remained in this country with Chad Brown, who ran her back Aug. 16 in the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga. In that 1 1/8-mile race, Xcellence was a bit hesitant to squeeze through a narrow opening along the rail and was beaten a half-length by Crown Queen, who is skipping this race to point for the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland next month.
Xcellence, ridden by Joe Bravo that day, will get the services of Irad Ortiz Jr. on Saturday.
Bravo will be on Brown’s other runner, Ball Dancing, who makes her U.S. debut in this spot. Ball Dancing finished a neck behind Xcellence when those two were third and fifth in the Grade 1 Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly in June.
Trainer Christophe Clement sends out the uncoupled entry of Sea Queen and Walk Close in the Sands Point.
Sea Queen won the Wonder Again Stakes here at 1 1/8 miles before finishing second in the Belmont Oaks. Clement shipped her to Southern California, where Sea Queen finished fourth, beaten three lengths, in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks.
“She was a bit aggressive,” Clement said, noting that she chased a strong early pace in the Del Mar Oaks. “I was disappointed not to win, but I thought she ran well.”
Walk Close won her first three starts – all at Belmont Park – before finishing fourth Aug. 11 in the Tenski Stakes at Saratoga.
“He gave her too much to do,” Clement said, referring to jockey Ortiz, who is being replaced for this race by Cornelio Velasquez.
Key contenders
Xcellence (Last 2 Beyers: 87-85)
* A Group 3 winner in France, Xcellence had troubled trips in both of her starts in the United States.
* Has yet to win beyond one mile.
Walk Close (Last 3 Beyers: 80-82-80)
* Is 3 for 3 over the turf courses at Belmont.
* In the Tenski Stakes, she finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Miss Frost, who came back Aug. 29 to win the Riskaverse Stakes at Saratoga.
Daring Dancer (Last 3 Beyers: 87-69-91)
* Is the lone multiple graded stakes winner in the field, having taken the Appalachian at Keeneland and the Lake George at Saratoga.
* Her only loss came over soft ground here in May.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 8 Daring Dancer. Trainer Graham Motion is 17 for 54 with a $2.92 ROI over the past five years in turf routes between 45 and 60 days following a winning effort. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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A Little Bit Sassy (Last 3 Beyers: 87-86-86)
* Was disqualified from first in the Grade 3 Regret at Churchill for coming out under left-handed whipping.
* Got beaten a head by Daring Dancer in the Lake George when she reacted to a right-handed whip.
* Trainer Michael Matz said jockey Luis Saez will carry a whip but will be instructed to “use it marginally.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 A Little Bit Sassy. Trainer Michael Matz is winless in 17 starts over the past five years in graded stakes turf routes at Belmont. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan