Horologist Wins Beldame

ELMONT, NY – Trainer Bill Mott’s Horologist shot to the lead at the top of the stretch and drew off strongly to win Sunday’s $150,000 Beldame Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park.

Horologist was the 7/1 longest shot on the board as she broke under Junior Alvarado from the far outside post in the field of four 4-year-old fillies.

After leading for the first few jumps, Horologist ceded to Letruska, who was hell-bent to set the tempo after breaking from the rail.

Settling into second while remaining within range, Horologist tracked Letruska through sharp opening fractions of :23.10, :45.52, and 1:09.05.

Horologist slowed slightly in the far turn, dropping back to run just a handful of lengths in front of the even-money favorite Dunbar Road.

Remaining ahead of the bettors’ top choice, Horologist re-engaged and shot up to challenge Letruska, who quickly dropped anchor once headed.

Maintaining a strong advantage over Dunbar Road and Point of Honor, Horologist crossed 3 lengths clear while completing the 1 1/8-mile fast dirt event in 1:49.01.

“To be honest, when she broke that sharp, that was my chance to try to take the lead and take it to them,” Alvarado said. “I used her and I came down very quick, safe, but I came down aggressive to make sure I didn’t have to take back if they wouldn’t let me go to the lead. I knew she was in a nice rhythm the whole way and I waited until the 5/16 (pole) just to check a little and see where she was. When I tapped her on the shoulder and she lowered her head instead of picking it up, I wasn’t sure how much I had, but I wanted to use what I had to open up. It just worked out today.”

Point of Honor’s stretch rally pushed her past a flattened Dunbar Road for second by 2 1/4 lengths.

An empty Letruska was 9 1/2 further lengths back to complete the order of finish.

Nonna Madeline was scratched.

Horologist’s win was her second of the year following the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) 2 starts prior and improved her overall record to 19-7-2-4. The New Jersey-bred daughter of Gemologist has now earned $695,439 for co-owners There’s A Chance Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing, and Abbondanza Racing.

Horologist is unlikely to appear in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) for her next start, with Mott saying that the owners opted not to pay the fee to supplement her.

Horologist returned $16.20 to win and $6.90 to place, while Point of Honor paid $4.20 to place. There was no show betting.