The $250,000 Gazelle Stakes (G1), a 1 1/8 mile trip around one turn of the main track at Belmont Park, marked the return of Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches. 7,361 fans were on hand, and they sent her off as the 2-5 favorite in a field of just 5, with Alabama runner-up Lear's Princess the 2-1 second choice and Hollywood Oaks winner Tough Tiz's Sis the 11-1 third choice.
Dorm Fever and Tough Tiz's Sis contested the pace through fractions of 24.07, 47.08, and 1:11.20 over the fast track while John Velazquez kept the favorite Rags to Riches out of trouble on the far outside and close to the pace in third. At the top of the stretch, Rags to Riches moved up on the pacesetters and took over the lead at the 1/4 pole, getting 1 mile in 1:35.46. However, Lear's Princess, who raced in fourth and saved ground on the turn, closed with a rush and drew even with the favorite with 1/2 a furlong to go. After a brief duel, Lear's Princess pulled ahead to win by just 1/2 a length in 1:47.86. It was 2 more lengths back to Tough Tiz's Sis in third.
