Brickyard Belle up in the final jumps to capture G3 Matron
Brickyard Belle was shuffled to the back of the pack down the backstretch but came flying home under Manny Franco to win her stakes debut in style in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Matron, a six-furlong inner turf sprint for 2-year-old fillies, at Belmont Park.
Trained by Miguel Clement for Brickyard Belle Racing, Beggs and Flowers and Briles Family Stable, the Yaupon dark bay went to post the even-money favorite in the field-of-8 thanks to an impressive 4 1/2-length debut score sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs over firm footing on August 27 at Saratoga Race Course.
Clement gave credit to Case Clay Thoroughbred Management, who purchased the filly for $600,000 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.
“She was very impressive today. Not many fillies can make up six or seven lengths in the stretch like she did,” Clement said. “I’m just very thankful to the connections for sending her our way. To be honest, a lot of credit needs to be given to Case Clay. He picked her out at the sale, and he was bold enough to make the partnership take place. In Case we trust.”
Not long after Brickyard Belle's win, her half-brother, Joe Shiesty, captured the Grade 2 Woodford at Keeneland. Both are out of the winning More Than Ready mare Ready to Unleash.
Harper’s Corner, winner of the Spa’s Listed Schuylerville in July for trainer Cathal Lynch, set the Matron tempo in her turf debut under Paco Lopez through an opening quarter-mile in 22.16 seconds over the firm footing. Brickyard Belle, who exited the inside post, took back to next-to-last down the backstretch as Harper’s Corner marked the half-mile in 44.85, while stalked by Almighty One and Medinah.
Brickyard Belle advanced with an inside move through the turn and when the field straightened for home and fellow closer Yolo Train surged clear, Franco tipped his charge out widest of all and sailed past six rivals to collar the pacesetter in the final yards and score by a half-length in a final time of 1:08.26.
“That stretch helped me there,” Franco said. “They came back to me, but my filly was rolling at the end, too.
“I was a little worried about getting out, getting out in the clear, but as soon as the eight [Yolo Train] got the jump on me, I was able to follow her on the outside there,” Franco continued. “I said, ‘OK, I’m going out now.’ I knew I had enough horse, so it was a matter of if I got there or not, but she gave me a nice kick.”
Harper’s Corner, who entered from a runner-up effort to Summer Starlet in the Grade 1 Spinaway on September 5 at Saratoga, completed the exacta by 2 1/4-lengths over More Champagne with Side Quest, Yolo Train, Almighty One, Medinah and Royal Companion completing the order of finish.
Lopez said he was proud of the effort from Harper’s Corner.
“She ran really good,” Lopez said. “I had a little pressure on the outside. I let her slow when she made the lead, was alone, and she was running very good. She finished very well.”
Clement credited Franco, aboard for the maiden score, for a terrific ride.
“I thought the leader was going to be very tough to reel in. Before the race, I thought she [Harper’s Corner] was a gorgeous filly, and she was second in the Spinaway,” Clement said. “When I saw she was able to be in front like that and dictate, I was a bit concerned, but nevertheless, I thought Brickyard Belle was always traveling strongly and at any stage, as long as Manny Franco gets the passage, I thought she was loaded underneath him.
“She was loaded, and it was a lot of ground to make up, but she was loaded,” Clement added. “I know Manny well and I thought he was traveling effortlessly. Twice you could see him look to his right shoulder at Flavien Prat [aboard Yolo Train] trying to get the room, and once he was finally able to get a passage, I thought the rest was history.”
Clement indicated Brickyard Belle would be strongly considered to make her next start versus males in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on October 30 at Keeneland.
“Without a doubt. I’ve had worse ideas,” Clement said, with a laugh.
Bred in Kentucky by Hall Racing, Brickyard Belle banked $110,000 in victory while improving her record to 2-for-2. She returned $4.38 for a $2 win bet.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Belmont Park with a 10-race card. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.
General admission at Belmont Park is available for $7 when purchased in advance and provides fans with access to grandstand seats on most days, all areas within the first floor of the grandstand and the backyard. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/tickets/.
America’s Day at the Races presents daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Belmont Park on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule/.
NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont Park, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.
