The $150,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) is the New York prep for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1). A field of 6 older fillies and mares sprinted 6 1/2 furlongs on the "good" main track at Belmont Park, with Ballerina (G1) runner-up Tar Heel Mom the 6-5 favorite over 2-1 second choice Pomeroys Pistol, second in her last 2 starts, the Prioress (G1) and the Test (G1), and 9-2 third choice Tamarind Hall, third in the Ballerina (G1) after winning the Bed O'Roses (G3).
Moontune Missy went set the opening fractions of 22.15 and 45.02 over the good track while being stalked by Pomeroys Pistol just to her outside. Entering the stretch, Moontune Missy tired allowing Pomeroys Pistol to take over the lead, opening up a 1 1/2 length advantage in mid-stretch through 3/4 in 1:09.85. Tamarind Hall, fourth early, put in a late rally but Pomeroys Pistol was long gone, cruising under the line 4 lengths clear in 1:16.60 over the good track. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back to late-running Lovely Lil third. Favorite Tar Heel Mom checked in fifth.
