| Friday, July 4, 2014 Sayaad, Joy take turf stakes at Belmont By Jenny Kellner ELMONT, N.Y. - Sayaad came off a nearly nine-month layoff to post a wire-to-wire victory in the $150,000 Forbidden Apple, while Joy rallied in deep stretch to take the $100,000 Perfect Sting, the Independence Day features on Friday afternoon at Belmont Park. A 4-year-old son of Street Sense owned by Shadwell Stable, Sayaad's last appearance was a similarly front-running win in an optional claimer last October at Belmont, his third victory in six starts last year. Given time off over the winter, he returned to training in April and made his comeback an impressive one, rolling through fractions of 22.83, 48.02 and 1:12.60 under jockey Jose Ortiz and turning back a challenge from favored Kharafa to prevail by 2 ¼ lengths. His time for the mile over a yielding turf course was 1:38.27. "It was a great performance," said winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. "We were a little surprised off an [eight-month] layoff over a soft turf course; we thought he might get a little tired, but he was very game. We're very grateful that [Shadwell owner] Sheikh Hamdan was patient with him." The third choice at 3-1 in the field of five, Sayaad returned $8.60 for a $2 win bet and earned $90,000. With a record of 5-2-0 from 11 starts, he has now amassed $315,037. Kharafa, who won the Kingston for New York-breds last time out, was 6 ½ lengths in front of Bio Pro, with Hamp and General Logan completing the order of finish. Dawly, Plainview and Za Approval were scratched. In the Perfect Sting, Joy made a four-wide move on the turn and took the lead inside the eighth pole to post a 3 ½-length upset of the one-mile turf race. Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Joy was content to run in fourth as Orion Moon led through an opening quarter in 24.49 and a half in 49.72 seconds. With the field safely avoiding the riderless Lady Ten - whose jockey, John Velazquez, was unharmed when he was unseated at the start - Joy began gaining on the leaders after straightening for home, kicking into high gear in deep stretch and crossing the wire in 1:40.08. "I had a pretty good trip," said Ortiz. "She was very comfortable, we saved some ground, and then we had to move a little earlier because of the loose horse. She switched leads in the stretch and took off." Sent off at 11-1, Joy returned $24 for a $2 win bet. It was the first victory in three starts this year for the Graham Motion trainee, who with the winner's purse of $60,000 has now earned $180,810 with a record of 4-1-3 from 15 starts. Mah Jong Maddnes, who took the lead on the turn, held on for second, with 4-5 favorite Waterway Run checking in third and Orion Moon fourth. Alaura Michele, Angel's South, Baffle Me, Belle Gallantey and Embarr were scratched. -30- | 
