ARUNA EARNS FIRST STAKES WIN IN PEBBLES
ELMONT, N.Y. – Aruna ran her American record to 2-for-2 and earned her first stakes victory Monday afternoon at Belmont Park, rallying through the stretch en route to a three-length win over Bet On the Blue in the $100,000 Pebbles for 3-year-old fillies.
Racing ahead of just one filly as Ultimate Class led the field of eight through an opening half-mile in 47.07, the dark bay daughter of Mr. Greeley began moving up steadily on the turn after being guided to the outside by jockey Ramon Dominguez. Tipped four-wide at the head of the lane, she launched her bid down the middle of the course and took over in the final 200 yards, completing the mile in 1:35.03 over the firm turf course.
“I was concerned about the pace, but as it turned out, they were going fast enough for her to have a closing kick,” said Dominguez, the leading jockey on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit. “I had to make a pretty wide, sweeping move on the turn … but I was pretty pleased with the way she finished up.”
Bet On the Blue finished a length in front of
Aruna, who was 1-1-1 from five starts in France for trainer Jonathan Pease, won her stateside debut against older fillies and mares at Saratoga Race Course last month, coming four-wide through the stretch to win the one-mile allowance by a head.
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The 6-5 favorite, Aruna returned $4.70 for a $2 win bet to her backers in the Columbus Day crowd of 4,226 and earned $60,000 to increase her bankroll to $139,232. Overall, her record is 3-1-1 from seven starts.
“Jonathan [Pease] really liked her, but she had a little problem with bleeding, so it was logical to send her over here where she could run on Lasix,” said Motion. “For Jonathan to be that impressed with her, I knew she had to be a very nice filly because Jonathan is very reserved. I think she really has a future.”
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