Only once off the board in her career, the grey was last seen putting up a career-high Beyer of 99 en route to winning the GIII Caress S. over this course last month and had two victories over the lawn at Belmont and Pimlico since changing from the barn of Michelle Brafford to Christophe Clement for 2023.

Christened the heavy 1-5 favorite as the field shrank with the scratch of four rivals, she veered to her outside after the jump as her outer rival also went to the right, but was settled to comfortably follow the leading pair. Three wide under an ultra confident Irad Ortiz Jr. through the turn, Roses for Debra was called on for her kick as she shifted further out. In the five path but closing with a full head of steam, she was given a single, minor reminder and powered clear in the final furlong to win by 3 1/4 lengths.

“It was pretty nice. The tote board said it all really, everybody thought she'd run really well,” said winning co-owner John O'Meara. “It was nice having some scratches. You know it's always nicer to have a smaller field, but when they scratched out of there…I don't know whether they scratched because of the weather or because they were afraid of her. Going to have to keep going and see who will be afraid of her in the future. I bought her. A good friend of mine, Gerry Dilger, bought her as a weanling and he passed away. It was a dispersal and I bought her in the dispersal. She's been nothing but fun to have around since. Of course, when she got hurt in the 2-year-old sale that didn't help, but it is all for the better at this point.”

O'Meara added that the current plan is to go to Presque Isle for the $300,000 GII Presque Isle Downs Masters S., and from there either a trip to Keeneland or the Breeders' Cup.

A half-sister to an accomplished elder half-brother in Rose's Vision and to SP Rosie's Alibi (Justify), Roses for Debra also has a 2-year-old half-sister Modarosa (Palace Malice), a yearling American Pharoah half-sister and the 2023 half-sibling by Gun Runner was unfortunately stillborn. Essential Rose, herself out of a graded stakes-winning mare and a half-sister to a graded stakes-placed stakes producer, visited Curlin for 2024. This is the female family of MGSW Flameaway (Scat Daddy) through the European blue hen Flame of Tara (Ire). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

SMART N FANCY S., $139,500, Saratoga, 8-25, 4yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.82, gd.
1–ROSES FOR DEBRA, 124, f, 4, Liam's Map–Essential Rose, by Bernardini. ($120,000 Ylg '20 KEEJAN; $25,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-John O'Meara and Cheyenne Stable LLC; B-Blackstone Farm LLC (PA); T-Christophe Clement; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $82,500. Lifetime Record: GSW, 9-7-1-0, $406,430. *1/2 to Rose's Vision (Artie Schiller), SW-USA, MSP-Can, $264,358.
2–Bubble Rock, 124, f, 4, More Than Ready–Reef Point, by Giant's Causeway. O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $30,000.
3–Train to Artemus, 124, m, 5, Tapizar–Pay Day Kitten, by Kitten's Joy. O-M and W Stables; B-Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Kelly J. Breen. $18,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, 1, 9 1/4. Odds: 0.35, 2.85, 6.60.
Also Ran: Talkin Tipsy. Scratched: Bluefield, Can't Buy Love, Poppy Flower, Self Isolation.

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Right now, the 3-year-old male divisional title could go any way. Taiba (Gun Runner) and Cyberknife (Gun Runner) each have a pair of Grade Is to their credit and Epicenter (Not This Time) won the GI Runhappy Travers S. In addition to finishing second in the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

Rich Strike only has one top-level score to his name, but it's a big one, taking home the roses at a whopping 80-1. Skipping the GI Preakness S., he failed to fire in the GI Belmont S. in June, but showed improvement when fourth in the Travers. The chestnut missed by just a head to the gutsy Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in the GII Lukas Classic at this venue Oct. 1 and was fourth last out, behind third-place Taiba, in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 5 at Keeneland. Rich Strike clearly loves Churchill Downs, having broken his maiden by 17 1/4 lengths in his other start at this venue, and could put himself in the dual Grade I winner category just in time.

The Derby winner won't have it easy, however. He faces a host of talented challengers, including GII Hagyard Fayette S. romper West Will Power (Bernardini). Runner-up Fulsome (Into Mischief), a four-time Grade III winner, and third-place Last Samurai (Malibu Moon) also return here. Also worth strong consideration is Godolphin homebred Proxy (Tapit), last seen closing to be third behind Classic runner-up Olympiad (Speightstown) in the GII Stephen Foster S. at this oval July 2.

Churchill's post-Thanksgiving card also features the GII Mrs. Revere S. for 3-year-old turf fillies. GII Rubicon Valley View S. runner-up California Angel (California Chrome) tops the field, but should the Bubble Rock (More Than Ready) who won the GIII Matron S. show up this time, she could be in trouble.

Aqueduct plays host to a pair of graded events, the GIII Long Island S. for female turf routers and the GIII Comely S. for sophomore fillies on the main track. The latter features the return of dual graded winner Kathleen O. (Upstart). Opening her account with a quartet of victories, including the GII Davona Dale S. and GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, the dark bay suffered her first career defeat when rallying for fifth in the GI Kentucky Oaks and has not been seen since.

Godolphin homebred Nostalgic (Medaglia d'Oro) won a graded event at this oval in the spring, the GIII Gazelle S., and missed by a neck last out here in the GIII Turnback the Alarm H. Nov. 4.

GI Cotillion S. runner-up Morning Matcha (Central Banker) and Seneca Overnight S. one-two Sixtythreecaliber (Gun Runner) and Falconet (Uncle Mo) also return in this competitive field.

Rounding out Friday's graded action is the GII Hollywood Turf Cup S. at Del Mar.

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Winner of the GIII Florida Oaks in her U.S. debut in March, the bay was runner-up to future GISW Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) in this track's course-and-distance GII Appalachian S. Apr. 9 and got a bit of a freshening following a third in Churchill's GIII Edgewood S. May 6. Back to winning ways in the GII Lake George S. at Saratoga July 22, Dolce Zel and five others were undressed by front-running stablemate Haughty (Empire Maker) in the GII Lake Placid S. Aug. 20 and settled for second. Irad Ortiz, Jr., the only rider she's known in this country, is back in the irons.

California Angel (California Chrome) caused a 17-1 upset in the GII Jessamine S. at this venue 54 weeks ago and is winless in six subsequent tries, though she has not run poorly. Runner-up in the Mar. 12 LaCombe Memorial S. at the Fair Grounds, the chestnut returned from a six-month vacation to be third in the Sept. 5 Dueling Grounds Oaks, whose runner-up Skims (GB) (Frankel {GB}) returned to win the GII Sands Point S. at Aqueduct. She backs up on 13 days' rest, having been beaten just two lengths into fourth behind Dolce Zel's stablemate Gina Romantica (Into Mischief) in the GI QE II Cup.

Bubble Rock (More Than Ready) was among the best turf sprinters of her generation last season, with a victory in the GIII Matron S. The Shortleaf homebred proved she could handle a route of ground when taking out the one-mile Cincinnati Trophy over the Turfway all-weather in March and she was surely in need of the run when a weakening sixth in the 6 1/2-furlong Music City S. at Kentucky Downs Sept. 13.

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The filly was far back in her first two starts over conventional dirt at Churchill Downs before breaking her maiden Dec. 10 over the synthetic at Turfway Park to conclude her juvenile season. The chestnut began her year with a close runner-up effort Jan. 8 at the venue on first-time Lasix and finished third in a stacked rendition of the Valdale S. Feb. 12 and most recently overcame a bump at the start of a local allowance Apr. 16 to draw clear by four lengths.

Allowed to settle after the break here, the 7-2 third choice tracked from last early and quickly made up ground from that rail spot coming into the lane. Under right-hand urging from Emma-Jayne Wilson, Beautiful Empire kicked into high gear in the final furlong to clear rivals and win by 1 1/2 lengths over Aubrieta (Speightster). Diabolic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) rounded out the Casse trifecta. The time for the six-furlongs was only just off the track record set by the venerable Pink Lloyd (Old Forester).

“I was actually angling to go to the outside, and the rail kind of opened up,” said Wilson post race. “Good horses, when you ask them, they run. And that's exactly what happened. She's been running lights out the whole winter. She was primed for a big effort. It was a big effort last time and she stepped up again today.”

The victress is her dam's first black-type earner and second winner from three to race. She has a 2-year-old half-brother by American Pharoah. Humor Me Colonel is expecting a foal by Munnings this season. She is also the fourth stakes winner for her young sire (by Pioneerof the Nile). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

STAR SHOOT S., C$131,500, Woodbine, 4-30, 3yo, f, 6f (AWT), 1:08.70, ft.
1–BEAUTIFUL EMPIRE, 120, f, 3, by Classic Empire
                1st Dam: Humor Me Colonel, by Colonel John
                2nd Dam: Halo Humor, by Distorted Humor
                3rd Dam: Gilded Halo, by Gilded Time
($320,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-John C. Oxley; B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Emma-Jayne Wilson. C$75,000. Lifetime Record: 7-3-1-1, $157,494.
2–Aubrieta, 122, f, 3, Speightster–Amethea, by Henny Hughes. O/B-Manfred & Penny Conrad (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. C$30,000.
3–Diabolic (Ire), 124, f, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Seafront (GB), by Foxwedge (Aus). (£90,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-D. J. Stable LLC and Nexus Racing Club; B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-Mark E. Casse. C$13,750.
Margins: 1HF, HD, 1. Odds: 3.60, 3.45, 2.35.
Also Ran: Howdyoumakeurmoney, Miss Alacrity, Parlance.

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After posting a pair of visually impressive victories over turf sprint trips–including the GIII Matron S. at Belmont–Bubble Rock was asked to stretch out to two turns for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf instead of the GII Juvenile Turf Sprint, and though she beat only two rivals home in 12th, closed off decently to finish just 4 1/2 lengths adrift of Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Second to a race-fit and in-form Marissa's Lady (Violence) in the Feb. 12 Valdale S. sprinting over the Turfway synthetic, she most recently turned the tables on that one with a 2 1/2-length success in the one-mile Cincinnati Trophy S. Mar. 5. Marissa's Lady returned to annex the Serena's Song S. last Saturday.

The new frontier in the Fantasy is the dirt, but she is bred nicely for it, as she is out of a daughter of GII Demoiselle S. victress Dixie City (Dixie Union), the dam of Korean star and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile third Blue Chipper (Tiznow). Former 'TDN Rising Star' and current Lane's End stallion Unified (Candy Ride {Arg}) is further down the page.

Yuugiri (Shackleford) has yet to finish outside the top three in four trips to the post. A 7 1/4-length maiden winner on Churchill debut Sept. 17, the homebred filly was runner-up in the Rags To Riches S. Oct. 31 and to Dream Lith (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GII Golden Rod S. Nov. 27. She has one run under her belt this term, a useful third to Secret Oath in the Feb. 26 GIII Honeybee S.

Dream Lith also makes her second start of the season here and will look to improve off a mostly even sixth in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. at the Fair Grounds Feb. 19. She has turned in three very strong works over the local main track since for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

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• Aragon, a 2-year-old filly by Street Boss who is a half-sister to Grade II-placed Caldee. From the family of Grade II winners Stanley Park and Paid Up Subscriber, she is consigned by Stone Farm as hip
• Believing, a 3-year-old Street Sense filly from the family of Grade I winner I Believe in You consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent.
• Catalan, a 3-year-old daughter of Street Boss whose half-sister Bubble Rock is entered in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar. Consigned by Stone Farm, agent, Catalan also is from the family of Grade II winners Dixie City and Unified and millionaire and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile-placed Blue Chipper.
• Lumberjack, a winning 3-year-old gelding by Declaration of War from the family of champion Jewel Princess, Grade I winner Dancing Rags and Grade II winner Coup de Grace. He is consigned by Paramount Sales, agent.
• Magical Soul, a winning 3-year-old filly by More Than Ready from the family of Canadian champion Perfect Soul (Ire). Consigned by Paramount Sales, agent, she is out of Perfect Soul's full sister, the Sadler's Wells mare Secretariat's Soul (Ire).
• Mun Luv, a 3-year-old filly by Munnings who is a half-sister to 2021 stakes winner Xanthique. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent, she is from the family of Grade III winner Vesta.
• Poronui, a 2-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile whose dam is the Grade II-winning Pure Prize mare Dothraki Queen, third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, she is from the family of Canadian champion Ambitious Cat and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Blushing K. D.
• Risky Reward, a multiple stakes-placed winning 3-year-old filly by Mshawish. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, she is from the family of European champion Nathaniel and Grade III winner Changing Skies (IRE).
• Rome, a 2-year-old colt by Empire Maker out of stakes winner Gracer, by Exchange Rate. Consigned by WinStar Racing, agent, he is from the family of Grade II winners Strike a Deal and Pacific Wind and 2021 Grade III winner Yes This Time.

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MGISW turfer Got Stormy had her final career breeze at 7:30 a.m. under jockey Declan Carroll, cruising a half-mile in :48.60 in preparation for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.

“We had some rain in the area but the track was really good so I decided to move her work up a day,” trainer Mark Casse's assistant David Carroll said. “Sometimes you see with older mares that they may take a step back from their younger campaigns but she has been doing great. I'm really excited the way she's coming into the Breeders' Cup. She's a very special mare to all of us.”

Got Stormy, along with about 12 other locally-based Breeders' Cup contenders, will ship to Del Mar on Monday.

Two hours earlier, GI Darley Alcibiades S. winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies contender Juju's Map clipped five furlongs in :59.60 with jockey Florent Geroux in the saddle outside of stablemate Matera (Tapit) (five furlongs, :59.80).

“Today's work was with an older horse in Matera,” Cox said. “She's a stakes winner in her own right so she's a pretty tough workmate. 'Juju' sat just off her and maybe broke about a length behind. She was well in hand throughout the work and it was exactly what we were looking for at this stage. This filly seemed to improve a little bit since her win in the Alcibiades, which is what these horses need to do this time of year leading into the Breeders' Cup.”

There are six Breeders' Cup contenders scheduled to work Saturday morning at Churchill Downs: Essential Quality (Tapit) (Classic), Knicks Go (Paynter) (Classic), Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) (Distaff), Rattle N Roll (Connect) (Juvenile), Ready to Purrform (Kitten's Joy) (Juvenile Turf) and Turnerloose (Nyquist) (Juvenile Fillies Turf).

Working toward the Breeders' Cup elsewhere in the country:

KEENELAND:
Trainer Chad Brown sent out three of his Keeneland-based runners who were pre-entered in the Nov. 5-6 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar for works on a fast main track Friday morning. The trio was headed by Peter Brant's Dunbar Road (Quality Road) (Distaff), who covered five furlongs in 1:00.40. Keeneland clockers caught her in splits of :13, :25.20, :36.80, 1:00.40, galloping out in 1:13.20. On Oct. 10, the 5-year-old was second to Letruska in Keeneland's GI Juddmonte Spinster S. Fellow Brant runner, Blowout (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (Mile), worked four panels in :49.80. Winner of the Oct. 9 GI First Lady posted fractions of :12.80, :24.40, :49.80 before galloping out in 1:03.60. Rounding out Brown's trio, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Tim Cambron, Anna Cambron and Team Hanley's Haughty (Empire Maker) (Juvenile Fillies Turf), maiden winner Oct. 17, worked four furlongs in :47.60. Her fractions were :12.80, :24.60, :47.60 and out in 1:01.

Also, trainer Jack Sisterson worked a pair of Calumet Farm's Breeders' Cup pre-entrants on dirt: Channel Cat (English Channel) (Turf and Mile), four furlongs in :50, and Lexitonian (Speigtstown) (Sprint), four furlongs in :48.40. Brad Grady's Fast Boat (City Zip) (pre-entered in the Turf Sprint) worked three furlongs in :37 on dirt for trainer Joe Sharp.

BELMONT:
On Friday morning, Pletcher worked several Breeders' Cup contenders over the Belmont training track. Shadwell Stables' three-time Grade I-winner Malathaat (Curlin) breezed five-eighths in company with 3-year-old allowance-winning colt Vindictive in her final breeze for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff.

“She's outstanding. She looked great and seems to be in really good form,” Pletcher said.

CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm's Life Is Good (Into Mischief), an easy last-out winner of the GII Kelso, breezed a half-mile in preparation for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

“He's an exceptional workhorse and very talented,” Pletcher said. “He did what we've become accustomed to seeing him do, which was put in an impressive move. He did it very easily.”

Red Oak Stable homebred Mind Control (Stay Thirsty), also targeting the Dirt Mile, recorded a half-mile breeze.

“It was a good solid work. He seems to have maintained form,” Pletcher said.

Spendthrift Farm's GII Vosburgh winner Following Sea (Runhappy) worked a solid half-mile, however, Pletcher indicated plans to contest the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint are still in flux.

“He did really well. He's been training great. I'll get with the Spendthrift guys and make a final decision, but the horse is doing well,” Pletcher said.

Working on Thursday for Pletcher, Bass Stables homebred Annapolis (War Front), a last-out winner of the GII Pilgrim S., worked in tandem with Nest (Curlin), clocking a half-mile in :50.26. Initially targeting the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Pletcher confirmed Annapolis has been sidelined due to a hind ankle chip.

“It's a minor injury and unfortunate timing,” Pletcher said. “We'll look forward to a spring and summer campaign.”

Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House Juvenile Fillies contender Nest most recently recorded a five-length debut win going 1 1/16 miles in September at Belmont.

“She worked well [Thursday] morning,” Pletcher said. “It's something we talked about after her debut. When the race came up a little bit of a shorter field, we felt like it was something worth taking a look at. She's a two-turn filly for sure, it's just a matter of if she has enough experience.”

Also working at Belmont Friday, Shortleaf Stable's GIII Matron S. winner Bubble Rock (More Than Ready, conditioned by Brad Cox, breezed a half-mile in :49.09 over the inner turf rated good in preparation for the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf. The homebred was piloted in her breeze by assistant trainer Dustin Dugas.

“I thought her breeze this morning went pretty well. There was just a little bit of give in it this morning and the turf had a nice bounce to it. We were pretty far out there with the dogs out,” Dugas said. “For a filly that's going to be stretching out for the first time, she did it right. She broke away from the pony and threw her ears up and really relaxed around the turn. She had a decent breeze thereafter down the lane and a good gallop out. I was happy with the way she did it.”

Dugas said Bubble Rock will jog one mile Saturday at Belmont before shipping to California Sunday.

Trainer Christophe Clement watched a trio of his Breeders' Cup contingent breeze over the Belmont Park inner turf led by Otter Bend Stable's dual Grade I winning Gufo (Declaration of War), third in the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic three weeks ago at Belmont. The 4-year-old completed an easy half in :53.40 in preparation for the Turf.

“He looked good,” Clement said. “It was a lazy work, as usual, but he had a very strong work last week. He worked on his own. It was slow by design, but he looked well. He is very sound and he's ready to go.”

Jump Sucker Stable's GIII Futurity S. scorer Slipstream (More Than Ready) completed his final breeze for the Juvenile Turf, going a half-mile in :50.20.

Although Slipstream captured the Futurity, a “Win And You're In” for the five-furlong Juvenile Turf Sprint, Clement is opting for the one-mile Juvenile Turf with the colt.

“He worked on his own,” Clement said. “It was a slow work, but he finished very well and was moving well. He came back in good shape.”

Rounding out his Breeders' Cup-bound team, GISP Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) went an easy :54.20 in preparation for the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Owned and bred by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, the took her debut going 1 1/16 miles in July at Saratoga and followed with a runner-up effort in the GI Natalma S. in September at Woodbine.

“She's very fit. She's running a week from today so it was an easy work, a two-minute lick and finished up a bit quicker,” Clement said.

Clement indicated his Breeders' Cup contenders are scheduled to depart on Sunday morning.

“[Their works] were slow by design, especially on the ground which I think it's very soft,” Clement said. “I was happy with all them. We just want to keep them happy and sound.”

Also breezing on Belmont's inner turf Friday, Klaravich Stables' GISW Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) [1:01.56] covered five-eighths in company with fellow GI Breeders' Cup Turf hopeful Tribhuvan (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) [1:01.96], who is owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso. Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Michael Kisber and Michael J. Caruso's Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) worked a solo half-mile in 50.98.

The Klaravich Stables-owned duo of Portfolio Company (Kitten's Joy) [1:02.96 – Juvenile Turf] and Consumer Spending (More Than Ready) [1:02.87 – Juvenile Fillies Turf] worked together through five-eighths.

Juddmonte's Pocket Square and Peter Brant's My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}) breezed five-eighths in 1:01.95 in company for the Filly and Mare Turf, while Peter Brant's Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) breezed a half-mile solo in :49.88 in preparation for the Mile. Brown also sent a number of Breeders' Cup hopefuls to breeze on the main track, including Jack Christopher (Munnings) [1:00.82, Juvenile], Verbal (Flintshire) [50.19, Juvenile Turf] and Royal Flag (Candy Ride {Arg}) [1:01.55, Distaff].

Mr. Amore Stable's Firenze Fire (Poseidon's Warrior), trained by Kelly Breen, worked Friday over the dirt training track in preparation for the Sprint, while Treadway Racing Stable's homebred Grade II winner Sail By (Astern {Aus}), trained by Leah Gyarmati, breezed three-eighths in :38.09 over the inner turf in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

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Trained by Brad Cox and piloted by Irad Ortiz, Jr., who captured his 3,000th career win here on Thursday, Bubble Rock entered from a dominant 3 1/4-length maiden score sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs over the Mellon turf on September 3 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Mystic Eyes, with Manny Franco up, broke alertly and led the field through a half-mile in :44.24 over the firm going with Makin My Move tracking her early foot from second position.

Bubble Rock, who settled outside rivals in third, advanced four-wide through the turn and gradually picked off Makin My Move before surging past a stubborn Mystic Eyes to secure the win in a final time of 1:08.01.

Gal in a Rush, who exited the outermost post 9 under Dylan Davis, saved ground in the early going before tipping out and rallying strongly down the lane to complete the exacta by a half-length over Mystic Eyes.

The victory marked the second Matron score for Ortiz, Jr., who captured last year's edition aboard Royal Approval.

“She's nice. Last time she won and finished well, too,” said Ortiz, Jr., who has piloted Bubble Rock in all three starts. “I just did the same thing today. I waited for my time to go and when I asked her, she finished up really strong again. She's got a really good size to her and she always finishes well, so I think she'll be alright.”

Dustin Dugas, the New York-based assistant for Cox, said Bubble Rock has matured over the course of her campaign.

“She's progressed a lot mentally,” Dugas said. “She's been a very nervous filly to work with and she's kind of taken some time. She's really progressed mentally and physically she's a very big, good-looking filly and moves great.”

Rounding out the order of finish were Makin My Move, The Club, Lady Danae, Dufresne, High Arabian, and Mainstay. Benbang was scratched along with the Wesley Ward-trained duo of Poppy Flower and Chi Town Lady, who are both slated to take on the boys in Sunday's Grade 3 Futurity.

Bubble Rock is out of the Giant's Causeway mare Reef Point, who is a half-sister to millionaire Blue Chipper – winner of the 2019 Group 1 Keeneland Korea Sprint in Seoul and third-place finisher in that year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

A Kentucky homebred, Bubble Rock banked $82,500 in victory while improving her record to 3-2-1-0. She paid $7 for a $2 win wager.

Live racing returns Sunday at Belmont Park with a nine-race card featuring the $250,000 Grade 2 Beldame for fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward going nine furlongs; the $150,000 Grade 3 Futurity for juveniles going six furlongs on the turf, a “Win And You're In” for the Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint; and the $150,000 Grade 3 Knickerbocker going nine furlongs on the turf for 3-year-olds and upward. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

America's Day at the Races will present 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.

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“She's progressed a lot mentally,” said trainer Brad Cox's assistant Dustin Dugas. “She's been a very nervous filly to work with and she's kind of taken some time. She's really progressed mentally and physically she's a very big, good-looking filly and moves great.”

“She's nice. Last time she won and finished well, too,” said winning rider Irad Ortiz. “I just did the same thing today. I waited for my time to go and when I asked her, she finished up really strong again. She's got a really good size to her and she always finishes well, so I think she'll be alright.”

Pedigree Notes:

Bubble Rock is the 96th graded winner and 211th black-type scorer for the timeless More Than Ready. The filly is also the 92nd graded victress and 170th black-type winner out of a daughter of the late, great Giant's Causeway. She is bred on the same More Than Ready/Giant's Causeway cross as MGISWs Verrazano and Say the Word. The winner's dam Reef Point's most recent produce is a yearling colt by Candy Ride (Arg). She aborted her 2021 foal and was bred to Twirling Candy this spring. Bubble Rock's second dam GSW Dixie City (Dixie Union) is also responsible for Korean champion sprinter Blue Chipper (Tiznow). This is also the family of MGSW & GISP young sire Unified (Candy Ride {Arg}).

Saturday, Belmont
MATRON S.-GIII, $150,000, Belmont, 10-9, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:08.01, fm.
1–BUBBLE ROCK, 120, f, 2, by More Than Ready
1st Dam: Reef Point, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Dixie City, by Dixie Union
3rd Dam: City Sister, by Carson City
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Shortleaf
Stable, Inc.; B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Irad Ortiz,
Jr. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $157,500. Werk Nick
   Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Gal in a Rush, 120, f, 2, Ghostzapper–Hudson River Gal, by
Dynaformer. ($130,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $375,000 2yo '21
OBSMAR). O-West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen and
Titletown Racing Stables; B-Tom & Mary Lou Teal & Adena
Springs (KY); T-Christophe Clement. $30,000.
3–Mystic Eyes, 120, f, 2, Maclean's Music–Cloudburst, by
Storm Cat. ($40,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-MeB Racing Stables LLC
and Vincent D. Esopi; B-Pursuit of Success LLC (KY); T-Todd A.
Pletcher. $18,000.
Margins: HF, HF, HF. Odds: 1.50, 29.75, 3.50.
Also Ran: Makin My Move, The Club, Lady Danae, Dufresne, High Arabian, Mainstay. Scratched: Benbang, Chi Town Lady, Poppy Flower.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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